Promoting Electrotechnology Careers and Public Policy

September 16, 1999

The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
1502 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-1101

Re: The Information Technology Training Tax Credit Act (S.456/H.R. 838)

Dear Representative Abercombie:

Legislation has been introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives to establish a 20% tax credit (up to $6,000 per employee in any tax year) for information technology training program expenses paid for or incurred by employers.

One of the most productive and cost-effective ways for government to use our hard-earned tax dollars is to encourage employers to help prepare more Americans for high-skill, high-wage jobs in the fastest growing sector of the nation’s economy. Carefully targeted tax incentives are needed to sustain the instructional investments that some companies have already made and help to make continuing education and training much more affordable for many others.

Tax credits are one of the simplest, easiest to administer and most efficient way to deliver such incentives to small and mid-sized employers. These employers are typically unable to afford the high cost of information technology training and lack the resources needed to meet the administrative requirements associated with other educational assistance programs.

This legislation has been endorsed by professional societies and trade associations, as well as by many private sector employers. And it enjoys bipartisan support in both houses of Congress.

I am counting on you to support enactment of the IT Training Tax Credit Act as part of any broader package of educational tax incentives that may come before the 106^th Congress. It’s a critically important investment in America’s future.

IEEE-USA represents the technology policy and professional careers interests of the nearly 225,000 members of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers who reside in the United States.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Vin O’Neill at (202) 785-0017.

Sincerely,

Paul J. Kostek
President
IEEE-USA

(Note:  This letter was sent to all
U.S. Representatives and Senators)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - United States of America
1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20036-5104
Office: (202) 785-0017 * Fax: (202) 785-0835 * E-mail: ieeeusa@ieee.org

| Top of Page | Policy Log | Public Policy Forum | IEEE-USA |

Last Update: Sept. 16,1999
Staff Contact:  Vin O'Neill, v.oneill@ieee.org