Agricultural News
Obama-GOP Tax Deal Passes Senate 81-19
Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:02:07 CST
National Cattlemens Beef Association President Steve Foglesong is relieved the U.S. Senate today voted to extend all expiring tax rates for two years. The Senate-passed bill would reduce the top rate of the estate tax, commonly known as the death tax, to 35 percent; increase the exemption level to $5 million; index exemptions to inflation; and include a stepped-up basis. Foglesong said NCBA has been at the forefront of estate tax reform because of the devastating impact it has on America's farm and ranch families.
"The estate tax is a government approved, signed, sealed and delivered ticking time bomb for U.S. farmers, ranchers and small business owners," said Foglesong, who is in Washington, D.C. this week addressing critical issues affecting U.S. cattlemen and women. "This is an outdated tax that is inaccurately framed as a tax on the rich. The U.S. Department of Agriculture even names the death tax as one of the top contributors to the breakup of multigenerational farming and ranching operations. The Senate's vote to extend the current tax rates and bring the estate tax down to more reasonable levels offers a great deal of relief to U.S. cattlemen and women right before the New Year."
On Jan. 1, 2011, the tax would have escalated to pre-2001 levels at 55 percent and an exemption level of $1 million. According to Foglesong, this would have caused many family-owned operations to sell off portions or all of their assets to pay for the tax. For example, Scott Bennett, junior at Virginia Tech University and an active participant in his family's Virginia cattle operation, Knoll Crest Farm, said the uncertainty of the death tax has made it nearly impossible for his grandfather to make plans for their farm's future.
"With a $1 million exemption and a 55 percent tax, we would need to sell most of our assets just to keep part of the operation in the family," said Bennett. "This would be a death sentence to family farms, ranches and small businesses. Thank goodness the Senate passed some relief for family farms and ranches like Knoll Crest Farm. Now, I just hope the House follows suit and passes the Senate's bill."
The Senate passed the amendment with an 81-19 vote. It will now move to the House for consideration before being sent to President Obama to be signed into law. Foglesong said the "ball is in their court" referring to the House. He said a "speedy" vote is necessary to prevent an undeserved death sentence to many family-owned farms and ranches.
The NCBA has focused on the need for the Estate Tax fix- and has accepted the ethanol tax credits being extended within the package that the Senate approved.
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Meanwhile, the ethanol industry is very pleased with the passage of the tax package as well. Bob Dinneen, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, made the following statement following passage of the measure.
"The Senate appropriately recognized the economic value of domestic ethanol production. Extending these key incentives for American ethanol production and use will help save American jobs and provide the market stability allowing the industry to continue to grow. Members of the RFA greatly appreciate the work of ethanol advocates, led by Sen. Charles Grassley and the Obama Administration, to ensure these important job-creating provisions were included. We strongly urge the House to take up the measure as soon as is possible and to pass it before adjourning for the year.
"Members of the RFA have remained steadfast in their commitment to extending these incentives that allow domestic ethanol producers to compete with well-heeled and heavily subsidized providers of oil. Extending VEETC and other tax incentives would provide the breathing room necessary to fully vet all the ideas on responsible reform of ethanol tax policy, including ideas on how to accelerate commercialization of advanced and cellulosic ethanol technologies. It also would allow for a thorough conversation on all energy subsidies, including those for fossil fuels."
The news release adds that the RFA remains optimistic the House will pass the bill and extend VEETC and other important renewable fuel tax credits.
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