The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI) is celebrating federal advocacy wins.
OHI Chief Strategy Officer and SVP of Government Affairs David Basler said OHI members’ efforts made the legislative accomplishments possible.
“These wins belong to all of us, and they show what we can accomplish when we speak with one voice,” he said. “Together, we are shaping a stronger, more sustainable future for outdoor hospitality.”
Newly enacted reconciliation legislation includes several key provisions that benefit outdoor hospitality businesses.
The permanent qualified business income (QBI) deduction was sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). The 20% deduction has been made permanent, reducing taxable income and lowering tax rates for many small business owners. The provision enables immediate deduction of qualifying equipment and property purchases.
The permanent estate tax exemption of $15 million ($30 million for couples) enables business owners to pass their businesses on to heirs without facing excessive tax burdens.
Finally, OHI opposed a proposal that would have led to the sale of 2 million to 3 million acres of public lands across 11 Western states. OHI said the lands are essential to members, with more than 75% of privately owned outdoor hospitality businesses located within 25 miles of gateway communities that rely on tourism tied to protected public land.
Basler said, “We have been asked why OHI is focused on saving public lands when our industry focuses on privately-owned businesses, and the reason is simple—when legislation threatens these lands, it threatens jobs, tourism and businesses that depend on them. If campers do not have access to these public lands, the private businesses in the gateway communities will not survive.”
Visit ohi.org/advocacy/ for more information.
