Trump Administration Proposes Eliminating Moving Expense Deduction
In early May, the Trump Administration released a broad tax reform outline that called for the dramatic reduction of corporate tax rates, reform to personal tax brackets, and the elimination of nearly every tax deduction utilized by American households, including the Moving Expense Tax Deduction. As a vital incentive for consumers of our industry, AMSA is working hard to preserve the deduction by meeting with Members of Congress to advocate for the deduction’s retention in any forthcoming tax reform package. We have reports that House lawmakers on the Ways and Means Committee are working to finish their version of a tax overhaul proposal this summer, although there is growing disagreement among members as to whether any tax savings will be used to fund a forthcoming infrastructure package. AMSA’s government affairs team is closely monitoring these developments to ensure we are well-positioned to advocate for our industry priorities in either draft. We have also partnered with the Employment Relocation Council (ERC) to update a detailed study on the deduction’s impact to taxpayers and businesses.
American Moving and Storage Association / Government Affairs ALERT
On May 1, 2017, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and co-sponsor Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced S. 998, The Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act. AMSA was instrumental in the development of this bill and will be working with the Senators to get it passed through Congress. But we need your voice to let Congress know this issue matters to Americans!
This bill will protect the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of consumers who make international moves. PII can include passport information, Social Security numbers, residential addresses, and other sensitive information contained in a bill-of-lading. When an international move occurs, PII is included in the vessel manifest which is compiled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Under current practice, CBP often sells this information to data brokers and other public entities for marketing purposes. Sharing this information with less secure public entities can lead to fraud, robbery, and identity theft. Innocent Americans victimized by these breaches often include military and government employees returning from overseas duty.
This bill prohibits the CBP from releasing PII to the public while still permitting the Agency to collect the data for security purposes. If enacted into law, will be a huge win for the moving and storage industry and the American families we live to serve.
Please write your senators to ask that they support this important common-sense bill by visiting the TAKE ACTION NOW page!
Welcome to the 2017 moving season
According to the USPS; 55,000 change of address forms are processed every day in the United States. Every summer tens of thousands of families physically move their residence.
Take some time before you hire a professional mover. Find a moving partner that will LISTEN and BUILD a successful moving plan that fits the budget and the schedule.
MOVING TIP OF THE MONTH:
If you’re moving locally, under 25 miles use the following as a guideline. 79% of all claims are caused by RUSHED MOVERS. Hire fewer movers for longer periods of time. You won’t regret it!
- 500-1500 sq ft home: Allow 2 full days
- 1500-3000 sq ft home: Allow 3 full days
- over 3000 sq ft: Allow 1 full week
Chipman Relocations and Logistics is the largest family owned mover on the west coast.
@edmelton
Moving & Storage Industry’s Safest Truck & Van Fleets Honored Nationwide
February 1, 2017
(Alexandria, VA) — The American Moving & Storage Association congratulates the 2016 AMSA Fleet Safety Award winners for their outstanding record of success as the nation’s safest moving and storage company truck and van fleets. These annual awards recognize overall safety, improvement in safety, and creativity and leadership in safety program design.
The 2016 winners are:
- Under 5 Million Miles: Interstate Van Lines of Springfield, Va.
- 5-20 Million Miles: New World Van Lines of Chicago
- 20-50 Million Miles: Wheaton|Bekins of Indianapolis
- Over 50 Million Miles: United Van Lines of St. Louis
- Intrastate Fleet Safety Award: Fry-Wagner of Lenexa, Kansas
- Safety Improvement Award: New World Van Lines of Chicago
The Mileage Awards are based on annual miles traveled and presented to the interstate carrier in each mileage category that has the best weighted combination of the lowest U.S. Department of Transportation recordable accident rate per million miles of vehicle operation, and the lowest vehicle and driver out-of-service rate. An award is also presented to a single intrastate carrier that best meets the same criteria. The Safety Improvement Award recognizes a carrier’s successful efforts to reduce the incidence of accidents.
“The American Moving & Storage Association salutes all of these companies for their excellent record of safe vehicle operations,” said Scott Michael, AMSA president and CEO. “Some of these companies have won this award more than once, demonstrating a strong commitment to the highest level of safety for their customers and themselves year after year. Their safety records represent a high level of achievement for the entire moving and storage industry.”
Each year AMSA recognizes the industry’s best performing and highest achieving individuals and companies. The 2016 industry awards will be presented during AMSA’s 98th Annual Education Conference & Expo in Palm Springs, Calif., on February 28. More information about the AMSA Awards at ProMover.org/Awards.
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The American Moving & Storage Association, home of the ProMover certification program, is the national trade association representing the nation’s moving and storage companies, which provide household goods moving services, specialized transportation for sensitive freight such as computers and trade show exhibits, and warehouse storage services. AMSA has approximately 4,000 members, including domestic and international companies and industry suppliers, and supports programs and activities that promote consumer protection, professional development, safety, and operational efficiency. Find out more at ProMover.org and Moving.org.