ABA applauds the introduction of the AG CHAIN Act (Assistance and Gratitude for Coronavirus Heroes in Agribusiness who are Invaluable to the Nation), introduced on May 12, 2020 by Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15) and Dwight Evans (PA-03).
“Working each day during this emergency presents extraordinary challenges, and bakery employees and their suppliers are rising to the occasion,” said Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association. “America should demonstrate its gratitude to these selfless critical infrastructure employees who continue to show up every day to feed their communities and country. They have earned well-deserved tax relief for their commitment during this pandemic. We applaud Rep. Glenn Thompson and Rep. Dwight Evans for introducing this bill."
The AG CHAIN Act provides a federal tax holiday and a payroll tax exemption for all essential employees in the food and agriculture industry defined by recent Department of Homeland Security guidance identifying essential critical infrastructure. These provisions would take place from February 15, 2020 through June 15, 2020, for individuals making less than $75,000 annually. The bill would also provide discretion to the Treasury to extend this benefit for an additional three months.
ABA, along with 29 other food industry groups, sent a letter to Congress urging support of this bipartisan bill to provide tax relief for food supply chain workers. To read the letter, click here.
