WSWA Commends House Ways and Means Committee for Advancing 199A Permanence and Estate Tax Reform That Supports Main Street

Washington, D.C., 05/10/2025 - Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) commends the House Ways and Means Committee for introducing a legislative framework that would make the 199A tax deduction permanent, increase the deduction from 20% to 22%, and make an enhanced estate tax exemption permanent- providing much-needed certainty and stability to America's family-owned businesses.

"These provisions reflect a real commitment to the vitality and longevity of family-owned businesses," said WSWA Chair Dina Opici, President of Opici Family Distributing. "Permanent 199A gives family-owned businesses the ability to plan, invest in our facilities, people and local communities, and compete on a more level playing field with multinational corporations that already enjoy a lower corporate tax rate. This is a critical step forward for job creators and community anchors like WSWA members, nationwide."

Created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Section 199A has enabled thousands of family-owned wine and spirits wholesalers to reinvest in their people warehouses, fleets, technology, and local communities. By increasing the deduction to 22% and making it permanent, the proposal ensures those businesses can plan with greater certainty - especially in the face of rising costs, increasing competition and shifting markets.

WSWA also applauds the proposed permanence of the enhanced estate tax exemption, which acknowledges the unique generational challenges of operating family-owned businesses and protecting the economic value they create in communities across the country.

"This is an encouraging first step that recognizes the critical role of family-owned businesses to the economy," said Francis Creighton, WSWA's President and CEO. "We look forward to reviewing the full legislative language and urge Congress to keep family-owned businesses front and center as they continue through the reconciliation process."

WSWA represents family-owned, multi-generational businesses that create good-paying jobs, invest in local communities in all 50 states, and have helped build the most diverse, dynamic, and consumer-driven alcohol marketplace in the world.

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