Portman’s bill proposes payroll tax credit to help businesses provide safe workplaces

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) on July 20 introduced legislation that would provide a payroll tax credit for certain expenses associated with protecting employees from COVID-19.

“As businesses in Ohio and across America continue reopening and welcoming back employees and consumers,” Sen. Portman said on Monday, “we must ensure the safety and security of everyone involved by incentivizing steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace through a tax credit.”

Sen. Portman sponsored the Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit Act, S. 4214, which would provide a refundable tax credit against payroll taxes for 50 percent of the costs incurred by a business for increased testing, personal protective equipment, disinfecting, cleaning, and reconfiguring workspaces to adhere to social distancing guidelines, according to a bill summary provided by the senator’s office.

“A successful reopening of our economy is dependent on both employees and consumers feeling comfortable going back and this tax credit will help make that happen,” said Sen. Portman. “I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this tax credit to ensure the successful reopening of our economy.”

The bill also would limit the benefit to a maximum of $1,000 per employee for a business’s first 500 employees; $750 per employee for the next 500 employees; and $500 for each employee thereafter, according to the bill summary.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) on July 16 sponsored the same-named H.R. 7615 in the U.S. House of Representatives.