RELIEF
The tax provisions contained in the recently passed reconciliation bill give food equipment distributors new momentum and room to grow.
Harper fi nally exhaled. That’s because the president of Oswalt Restaurant Supply knew the budget reconciliation legislation wasn’t just another bill; it was the green light to keep moving forward. The company had developed a strategy that factored in the 2017 tax cuts and used the added margin to boost salaries, invest in equipment and support the surrounding community.
W
By Bridget McCrea Contributing Writer
hen the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) offi cially became law in July, Huff
Had those provisions expired — something that was slated to happen at the end of this year — Harper was prepared to scale back. “We were making bold decisions like signifi cantly raising salaries, upgrading equipment and aggressively reinvesting in the business because we could,” Harper said. “But if the cuts went away, we’d have had to reverse course. That’s not something you can do without consequences.” For Harper, permanence also means
predictability. It gives Oswalt Restaurant Supply’s leadership team room to plan, invest and grow without wondering whether the rules will change midstream. “Your team and your community get used to a certain level of support,” Harper explained. “Once you commit, it’s hard to explain why you’re backing off, especially when the only reason is that tax policy is shifting under your feet.”
Removing the Guesswork Harper isn’t alone. For dealers and
manufacturers alike, the OBBBA delivers something the business community hasn’t had in years: tax certainty. By locking in key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such as full equipment expensing, lower long-
term rates and enhanced credits for investment, the bill removes the guesswork from planning and puts long-term growth potential back on the table.
Featuring permanent incentives for capital improvements, expanded opportunity zones and immediate deductions for U.S.-made assets, the OBBBA effectively rewards organizations that build, buy and hire domestically. While tariffs, high interest rates, the rising national debt, and persistent labor shortages remain key concerns for many companies right now, the bill’s business-focused provisions may make it easier for FEDA members to pursue long-term investments.
The clarity that the bill provides is
already having an impact. For example, Harper says his team is now exploring investments they once considered out of reach, including equipment upgrades and longer-range planning. “Removing the sunset gives us the confi dence to make those decisions without second-guessing whether or not we’ll have to pull back next year,” he says. “We’re no longer asking ‘what if?’ We’re moving forward.”
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