Retailers Want Tax Reform That Boosts Job Growth, Benefits American Consumers

Jennifer Safavian, RILA Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the retail community’s support for comprehensive tax reform following House Ways and Means Committee hearing “How Tax Reform Will Grow Our Economy and Create Jobs.”

“Retailers have a significant impact on the daily lives of all Americans – from their customers to their employees to the communities and families they serve every day. While retailers are responsible for more American jobs than any other industry, we also pay among the highest effective tax rates of all US businesses. Pro-growth tax reform that simplifies and lowers rates, eliminates special preferences and restores America’s global competitiveness is the top priority for retailers—provided it does not saddle American families with a higher tax bill.”

Retail Works for our American Economy

More than 42 million jobs in the US are either a retail job or a job that relies on retail. Jobs in the retail industry span from designers and IT professionals to transportation and logistics service providers to customer service representatives. Outside of brick and mortar stores, millions of jobs in manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, transportation, warehousing, and services industries are supported by retailers. Millions of Americans get their first job in retail, including Members of Congress and their staff.

Retailers offer flexible schedules that enable individuals to spend more time with their families or complete a degree, and provide employees with extensive training at all job levels and skill sets that lay a core foundation for fundamental career development. Millions of high-tech and high-paying jobs are created by retailers as consumer demand and industry innovation continually advance and change.

(Source: Retail Industry Leaders Association)