There are currently 4 pieces of federal legislation active in Congress which would reduce excise taxes for small brewers.  Companion bills H.R. 836 and S. 1058 were introduced early in 2009 and contain provisions seeking to reduce the tax burden for all brewers, specifically reducing the small brewer rate by 50% to $3.50 a barrel.

In the closing days of 2009, another bill was introduced solely targeting small brewers for a graduated excise tax rate reduction of $3.50/barrel and $16.00/barrel.  H.R. 4278 incorporates the small brewer excise tax reduction component of HR 836 (cutting the rate in half to $3.50/barrel on the first 60,000 barrels, which has the support of 243 Members of Congress) and also contains a provision to lower the tax rate to $16 per barrel on beer production above 60,000 barrels up to 2 million barrels for brewers with an annual production under 6 million barrels.  Most recently, S. 3339, calling for small brewer excise tax reductions, was introduced in the U.S. Senate.

The Brewers Association is now actively engaged in building support in the U.S. House of Representatives for HR 4278 and in the U.S. Senate for S. 3339.  A resource page is now available to give you the information and tools you need to make the case to your federal elected officials for supporting these tax relief measures and by extension, for supporting the small brewery businesses that are such a vital part of our local communities.

Additionally, we ask that you also see House Small Brewers Caucus, which is a resource page with background information on the House Small Brewers Caucus. You should be familiar with the Caucus and what they intend to accomplish so that you can also ask your Representative to join the Caucus and become educated on the issues of importance to small brewers.

You will also find a sample letter for recruiting your Representative which you may use “as is” or customize to your particular needs.

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