FMI Welcomes Introduction of Bipartisan Measure to Improve the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Dec 14, 2023

Arlington, VA - Today, FMI - The Food Industry Association announced its support of the bipartisan Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a key workforce-building tool utilized by FMI member companies to hire veterans, SNAP participants, justice-involved individuals and others facing barriers to employment. FMI applauds Representatives Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Terri Sewell (D-AL), members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, for their leadership on this important measure," said Christine Pollack, FMI vice president, government relations.

“This bipartisan legislation takes steps to improve the nearly three-decade old credit by bringing it in line with wage inflation. WOTC is an important investment in connecting job seekers with meaningful employment in a diversity of opportunities within the food industry,” Pollack continued.

Specifically, the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act increases the current credit percentage from 40% to 50% of qualifying wages for employees who work up to 400 hours, authorizes a second level of credit for employees who work 400 or more hours and eliminates the age limit threshold applied to SNAP recipient eligibility.

The Critical Labor Coalition, of which FMI is a member, also announced its endorsement of the bill.

About FMI

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.FMI.org