The U.S. Senate is about to consider legislation that includes proposed taxation issues that could be detrimental to small businesses—including RV parks and campgrounds.
The legislation proposes raising the top capital gains rate to 39.6 percent and eliminating the stepped-up basis for inheritance, both of which could force the next generation of business owners to downsize or even sell their business just to pay the tax bill.
Similarly, the proposal for a new gas tax will be especially harsh, as 100% of RVs are not electric powered and consume more gas than the common passenger car. That spells disaster for the millions who RV and camp every year across the country, spending billions supporting all businesses in local communities. They will certainly take pause, and may stop RVing and camping all together, as these taxes are passed through to them.
With the Senate split 50/50, moderate Democrats like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) and Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) have a lot of voting power. With a track record of crossing the aisle, their votes could make all the difference for our industry.
The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is working closely with the Arizona ARVC state association, and with close connections we have to both Sen. Sinema and Sen. Manchin, to advocate on behalf of our industry.
We will be deploying a grassroots letter campaign in both states because the more voices we have join our chorus, the better. Tonight, I will be sending a letter to all ARVC members letting them know we are advocating for them in this way. I wanted to let you know this email would be distributed so you were in the know. Our goal is to persuade Sen. Sinema, Sen. Manchin, or both, to support our industry by demanding these taxation issues be removed from the proposed legislation.