WASHINGTON, May 22, 2025 — Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) calls on the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), because it makes the Section 199A tax deduction permanent at 23% and makes permanent enhanced estate tax exemptions. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives Thursday morning, has now moved on to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Section 199A empowered thousands of family-owned wine and spirits wholesalers to reinvest in their workforce, infrastructure, technology, and local communities. Making this deduction permanent would give Main Street businesses the certainty they need to plan for the future, stay competitive with multinational C-corporations, and keep up with evolving market dynamics and customer needs.
WSWA further advocates for the permanent extension of the enhanced estate tax exemption, acknowledging the unique generational challenges faced by family-owned businesses. This reform would ensure that the economic value these businesses create can be preserved and passed on, securing their contributions to local communities for generations to come.
“The House-passed OBBBA provides long-term certainty for family-owned businesses that drive local investment and create good-paying jobs in every state. Because of this, we urge the Senate to act swiftly and pass this critical legislation,” said WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton.
WSWA represents family-owned, multigenerational businesses that serve all 50 states and help sustain the most diverse, dynamic, and consumer-driven alcohol marketplace in the world. Since 2017, Section 199A has enabled wine and spirits wholesalers to reinvest between $304 million and $380 million into local economies by upgrading facilities, expanding fleets, retaining critically important truck drivers and supporting philanthropic efforts. More than 90% of annual reinvestment, up to $48.9 million, has gone directly into facility and equipment upgrades that improve supply chain resilience and productivity.