Upton cosponsors Healthy Workplace Tax Credit

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) recently cosponsored a GOP-led tax credit bill aimed at protecting the safety of businesses, their employees and their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This bipartisan legislation is about jobs, small businesses, and the health and safety of our communities,” Rep. Upton said on Sept. 8. “Businesses in southwest Michigan and across the country continue to reopen and welcome back customers and employees. But those customers and employees must be kept safe.”

The Healthy Workplace Tax Credit, H.R. 7615, was introduced in July by U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC). It would allow employers a payroll tax credit for 50 percent of the sum of qualified employee protection expenses, qualified workplace reconfiguration expenses, and qualified workplace technology expenses paid for each calendar quarter, according to the congressional record bill summary.

For instance, businesses could use the refundable tax credit for COVID-19 testing, personal protection equipment, disinfecting and extra cleaning, and reconfiguring workspaces to conform with social distancing guidelines, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Upton’s office.

“Our legislation would encourage these businesses to take the necessary precautions to keep folks safe, which must be an opportunity as America reopens and we work to bring back our jobs,” said Rep. Upton.

The credit would be limited to $1,000 per employee for the first 500 employees; $750 per employee for the next 500 employees; and $500 for each employee thereafter, according to the congressman’s bill summary.

H.R. 7615 has been endorsed by several groups, including the International Sanitary Supply Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Restaurant Association, the National Retail Association, and the National Grocers Association, among others.