AMTonline: Global Competitiveness

Obama Administration seeks applicants for first phase of ‘Investing in Manufacturing Communities’ Partnership

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Obama Administration is accepting applications for the first phase of the “Investing in Manufacturing Communities” Partnership, a new initiative intended to boost manufacturing and job creation. In the first phase, 25 grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded to help regions develop long-term economic development strategies. These “Implementation Strategies” will encourage collaboration at the local level to identify the region’s comparative advantages and assets, and plan investments to expand the area’s appeal to manufacturers. AMT members are encouraged to explore this opportunity with regional partners and community organizations.

NLRB on Notice: Court Tears Down Poster Rule

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

May 7 - Today, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (of which AMT is a long-standing member) lauded the U.S. District Court of Appeals for Washington, DC, which invalidated a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule requiring employers to install workplace posters that provide information about union organizing, bargaining and protests.

U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Sometimes members ask about the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and what they should be doing to insure they are compliant with the law. The simple, basic answer from a global anti-corruption viewpoint is you should do business all over the world just like you would do business in Chicago or Detroit.

Bonus Depreciation Extended/Sec. 179 Increased in Fiscal Cliff Deal

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama signed “The American Tax Relief Act of 2012” into law. The new law includes an extension of 50% bonus depreciation through 2013 and increases Sec. 179 expensing limits for 2012 and 2013. This is a major victory for manufacturers. One-page fact sheet on the depreciation provisions.

AMT Signs Small Business Letter Urging Comprehensive Tax Reform

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 40 organizations representing small businesses on a letter to Congressional leaders urging comprehensive tax reform that lowers rates for all businesses, including those organized as pass-through entities. Solely reforming the corporate tax code does not take into account the millions of businesses that are sole propietorships, limited partnerships and Subchapter S-corporations, such as many AMT members, that will see their taxes increase if current top marginal rates on individuals are allowed to expire.  

Federal Tax Benefits for Manufacturing: Current Law, Legislative Proposals, and Issues for the 112th Congress

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Congress Research Service: This report examines a key element of current federal support for manufacturing: tax benefits. More specifically, it describes current federal tax preferences that offer significant benefits for small and large manufacturing firms. The report also provides an overview of federal non-tax support for manufacturing. In addition, the report identifies bills in Congress that would enhance current tax preferences and explains how eligible manufacturers might be affected. It concludes with a discussion of the chief arguments for and against additional targeted support for manufacturing and their implications for federal policy.

Bill to Boost American Manufacturing Passes House on Strong Bipartisan Vote

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Legislation sponsored by Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to require the development of a national strategy to revitalize American manufacturing and create jobs was approved today by the House of Representatives. The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, H.R. 5865, passed with an overwhelming vote, 339-77. The House’s approval sets up the opportunity for Senate consideration prior to the year’s end.

The Manufacturing Mandate - A National Manufacturing Strategy to Help Rebuild and Strengthen the U.S. Manufacturing Sector

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT Joins Business Groups in Urging Congress to Extend All Bush Tax Cuts

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined nearly 100 organizations in a letter to Congress urging a one-year extension of all the Bush tax cuts. The group also called for expedited consideration of more comprehensive tax reform in early 2013. Over half of AMT’s member companies file taxes under the individual code as S-Corporations, LLCs and Partnerships and, so, could be hit with a tax increase if the tax cuts are allowed to expire on incomes over $250,000. Since Congress is in recess the month of August, it is an ideal time to communicate with your Senators and Representative to let them know that now is not the time to raise taxes, especially on the small manufacturers that are driving the economic recovery.

AMT Testifies on Tax Reform

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

On July, 19, 2012, the House Ways & Means Committee held a hearing on Tax Reform and the U.S. Manufacturing Sector. The purpose of the hearing was to examine how the current tax system affects U.S. manufacturers and how comprehensive tax reform might affect their ability to grow and create jobs. Former AMT Chairman Kim Beck, President and CEO, Automatic Feed Company, testified on behalf of AMT.

AMP Report Outlines Approaches to Spur Domestic Manufacturing Investment and Innovation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

Echoing AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate, the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership report, Capturing Domestic Competitive Advantage in Advanced Manufacturing, issued a set of 16 recommendations around three pillars: enabling innovation; securing the talent pipeline; and improving the business climate. The recommendations are aimed at reinventing manufacturing in a way that ensures U.S. competitiveness, feeds into the Nation’s innovation economy, and invigorates the domestic manufacturing base. The objective is to position the Nation to lead the world in new disruptive advanced manufacturing technologies that are changing the face of manufacturing,

Tax Relief Coalition Urges Congress to Act Now to Prevent 2013 Tax Hike

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

The largest tax increase in history is scheduled to take effect next January if Congress does not act to prevent it. Long-term tax solutions are needed but realistically can’t be completed in the short window of the “lame duck” session of Congress that will take place after the November elections. The Tax Reform Coalition, of which AMT is a member, has sent a letter to all Members of Congress urging them to act now to extend the Bush-era tax cuts, the current death tax provisions, and all of the expired and expiring tax provisions. This extension would provide at least some certainty to our businesses and markets and give Congress the time to find long-term solutions next year.

Coalition Sends Bonus Depreciation Letter to Congressional Leaders

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

A coalition letter signed by 80 companies and associations, including AMT, was sent June 1, 2012, to the House and Senate leadership urging action on a temporary extension of 100% bonus depreciation through 2012

Manufacturers Urge Action on Currency in TPP Trade Negotiations

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

As the Trans Pacific Partnership’s member nations met for the 12th round of negotiations in Texas, AMT joined a group of manufacturers in a letter to US Treasury Secretary Geithner and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk urging them to include rules governing currency manipulation as a key point of TPP and any future trade agreements. The Administration joined the TPP in 2009 as part of its National Export Initiative’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2014. The nine member countries are the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalem, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Japan is seeking entry into the group.

AMT Signs Industry/Association Letter Supporting Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 325 U.S. companies and industry associations in a letter to Congress supporting a swift reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im). Ex-Im’s charter expired on September 30, 2011.The Bank is currently operating under an extension that expires on May 31. Failure to act quickly on a long-term reauthorization threatens the many American jobs that depend directly or indirectly on its crucial export financing.

AMT Signs Association Letter Urging Bonus Depreciation Extension

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 115 associations in urging House and Senate conferees to add a temporary extension of 100% bonus depreciation to the payroll tax cut bill they are considering. Current law allows businesses to immediately expense 50% of the cost new equipment bought and placed in service in 2012, down from 100% in 2011. The associations urged the lawmakers to extend 100% expensing through 2012 to support business investment and job creation.