FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 03, 2008

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Hails Congress for Passing Extension of Research and Development Credit

President Bush Signs Package Extending Expired Tax Cuts

Washington, D.C.. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a package today that includes retroactive extension of a two-year extension of the R&D Credit through the end of 2009. The package included an increase in the Alternative Simplified Credit from 12% to 14% beginning in 2009.

The extension was part of a package of other expired tax provisions that was included in the H.R. 1424 – Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, also known as the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 that passed the Senate on Wednesday and was signed by President Bush this afternoon.

“We will continue to work next year toward a permanent R&D Credit,” said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey, “but TIA is pleased that the Congress has acted to reinstate the credit for the entirety of 2008 and through 2009 with an expanded Alternative Simplified Credit limit.”

“The development of leading-edge communications applications is complex, requiring time, capital resources and a long-term vision,” Coffey continued, “which is why a permanent credit is so critical for companies’ ability to plan for the future and remain competitive in the global market.”

For more information on this issue, please contact Carolyn Lee at clee@tiaonline.org.

Read more on TIA’s recent activity on the issue of research and competitiveness at tiaonline.org.

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About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., Verari Systems, Westell Technologies, Inc. and Zebra Technologies Corporation. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

 

 

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