WE ARE GOLF supports disaster tax relief legislation

As Congress contemplates disaster relief for storm-ravaged communities, small businesses and families around the nation, WE ARE GOLF, on behalf of the 2 million Americans whose jobs are tied to the golf industry, supports HR 2718 and S 1456. This bipartisan legislation would help owners, operators and employees of storm-ravaged public golf courses get their businesses back on their feet.

These much-needed bills would amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend and expand tax relief in the wake of national disasters. And they would do so in a permanent and fair manner, eliminating the ad-hoc, case-by-case way Congress has provided post-disaster relief previously. Benefits would be automatic when the president issues a disaster declaration.

In the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act [PL 109-135] and subsequent relief bills, including the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 [PL 110-343], designed to help businesses re-establish in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, the golf industry – including public golf courses – was excluded from receiving the disaster-related tax assistance available to other businesses. That meant that, as small golf course owners and operators hit hard by tornadoes, floods and hurricanes attempted to get back to business, they were (and are) at a fundamentally unfair and illogical disadvantage compared to other small businesses.

Fortunately, HR 2718 and S 1456 remedy this exclusion.

To find out more about this legislation, click here

WE ARE GOLF is urging congress to level the playing field for the thousands of small businesses for whom golf is more than just a game and support HR 2718 and S 1456. We hope you’ll do the same.

Get Involved.

For more information on how to help WE ARE GOLF support these bills and ensure the golf industry gets the same relief as other small businesses, please email us at info@wearegolf.org