NEWS

Stakeholders in the forest products industry stated that new guidance documents for the EU Deforestation Regulation do not relieve its onerous regulatory burdens. "The EU Commission's latest guidance documents neither address severe EUDR compliance challenges that continue to threaten U.S. forest products exports, nor provide any legal compliance certainty. In addition, the Commission’s latest updates appear to disproportionately benefit EU supply chains."

The Financial Times recently reported on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), emphasizing key concerns of those in the U.S. forest products supply chain and how the flaws in the EUDR make it nearly impossible to comply with the regulation. While the article suggests that the U.S. will be categorized as "low risk," U.S. companies will still be required to comply with fiber geolocation and traceability.

The bipartisan Solid American Hardwood Tax Credit Act would allow individual taxpayers to include solid American-manufactured hardwood products—such as flooring and paneling—as qualified home energy efficiency improvements under the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.

PHOTO © SHAW

At this writing, the budget reconciliation bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill extends provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. As it stands, the bill will allow 100% bonus depreciation through January 1, 2030, and the estate and gift tax exemption amount and the generation-skipping transfer tax exemption would be permanently increased to $15 million.

DHA joined allied organizations in a letter to Congressional leaders opposing the limitation of the business state and local tax deduction (B-SALT). These taxes are not optional for businesses; they are ordinary expenses that a business must pay. To date, these limitations are not included in the House budget reconciliation bill.