The AAO joined other dental organizations sending letters to Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) along with Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) to thank them for sponsoring H.R. 1854/S.1178, the Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes (RECRUIT Act).
The RECRUIT Act would provide a tax credit to small businesses that hire and retain members of the National Guard and Reserve. The credit would be $1,000 per service member, plus an additional amount based on the amount of days served beyond the 39 days of weekend training and annual training. For businesses that have not been profitable over the course of the last year, the credit would be offered as a payroll tax credit.
This incentive to hire and retain men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserve, among whom are many dentists and support staff, is crucial at a time when service men and women are deployed around the world in historic numbers, and when National Guard and Reservists have been deployed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. While businesses proudly employ members of the National Guard and Reserves, small businesses that employ and retain National Guards members and Reservists are simultaneously facing the impact of the pandemic and deployment. The incentive provided by this bill will counter what might otherwise be a disincentive to hire men and women of the National Guard and Reserves. Additionally, because members of the National Guard and Reserves will know that employers are incentivized to hire and retain them should they be deployed, this bill may aid in recruitment.
The AAO is proud to support our U.S. military and veterans, including members who may be called to active duty, and we are proud to support the RECRUIT Act. Hiring service women and men also reflects hiring diversity, and this bill will help bolster more members of our military in the civilian workforce, including AAO member practices.
If you’d like, you can click HERE to send a letter of thanks to the RECRUIT ACT sponsors and co-sponsors or to ask that your Senator or Representative support the bill.
