IPC has long urged the U.S. Congress to enact a permanent research and development tax credit – or at least a multi-year extension, not just the usual temporary, one-year deal – and to provide that certainty sooner, not at the last minute. Only a permanent credit will spur the kind of long-term R&D that is critical to the competitiveness of the U.S. electronics industry in the global economy. The R&D tax credit was one of the key issues raised last April during IMPACT 2015, our annual event in which IPC member executives meet with top policy makers in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, congressional leaders still have not been able to reach agreement on how to extend the R&D tax credit — which expired on December 31, 2014, and more than 50 other tax provisions that have expired or will expire by December 31. The proverbial “last minute” has arrived.
Within the coming days, congressional leaders are slated to discuss the best path forward, whether it be making some of the provisions permanent or simply extending all of them in a one- or two-year package. A one-year retroactive extension, which would include only 2015, simply continues the uncertainty that businesses face.
At this point, Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has stated that a one-year extension is off the table but could resurface if a larger agreement is not reached.
Please take a moment now to contact your elected officials and urge them to extend the R&D tax credit without delay. Please feel free to use our suggested text or to craft your own message.