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Press Releases

NECA Partners with Main Street Employers Coalition to Advocate for 199A Permanency in South Bend Roundtable with Congressman Rudy Yakym

Mar 25, 2025

SOUTH BEND, IN – The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), in partnership with the Main Street Employers Coalition, hosted a critical roundtable discussion on March 21, 2025, to highlight the importance of preserving Section 199A of the tax code for small businesses. The event, held in South Bend, Indiana, featured Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and brought together business leaders to discuss how the potential expiration of 199A would impact their companies and the broader small business community.

Prior to the roundtable, Congressman Yakym toured Koontz-Wagner Services, a NECA member company, to witness firsthand the significance of maintaining 199A for electrical contractors and other small business owners. The tour provided an opportunity to showcase how the deduction directly benefits companies in Indiana and across the country.

The House Committee on Ways and Means is currently weighing critical decisions as they iron out major tax policy. Among them is whether or not to extend the 199A tax deduction, which expires in December of this year. The deduction allows small, pass-through businesses, which the vast majority of NECA contractors are, to deduct 20% of qualified business income.

The roundtable included key voices from various industries, focused on real-world examples of how the 199A deduction has supported small businesses through economic challenges. The discussion emphasized the role of this deduction in allowing businesses to reinvest, grow, and provide stable employment in their local communities.

The event gathered advocates from Koontz-Wagner Services, the Indiana Association of Realtors, Lawson-Fisher Associates, the Indiana Farm Bureau, the Smith Sawyer Smith Insurance Agency, Welch Packaging, Parker Farms and the National Electrical Contractors Association.

“The 199A tax deduction is vital for supporting small businesses nationwide, particularly those in Indiana’s Second District,” said Rep. Yakym. “Our conversation with NECA and the Main Street Tax Coalition on Friday reaffirmed this deduction’s significant role in empowering the manufacturers, businesses, and organizations that drive our economy.”  
“Roundtable discussions on the 199A provision are critical for electrical contractors and small businesses across America,” said Marco Giamberardino, NECA’s Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “This tax deduction plays a vital role in helping these businesses reinvest, grow, and remain competitive. By bringing industry leaders, policymakers, and experts together, we can ensure that 199A continues to support the backbone of our economy—small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and power our communities. A special thank you to Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and Tony Maloney from Koontz-Wagner for hosting this important discussion and for his commitment to advocating for small businesses nationwide.”
“Having the ability to sit down and conduct a rational discussion with our congressional representative regarding the importance of the 199A to our business and our ability to reinvest to grow our business was most welcome,” said Tony Maloney, Construction Vice President and General Manager at Koontz-Wagner Services. “Representative Yakym listened to our concerns and was very engaging during our discussions. Thank you NECA Legislative Group for setting this up and allowing us to meet with Representative Yakym.”
“Over the past few years, I've been able to hire a transaction coordinator and a buyer's agent, thanks in large part to the Section 199A tax deduction,” said Nic Wyse of the Indiana Association of Realtors. “That buyer's agent is now able to earn a sizable income and in 2024 became a first-time homeowner himself! These tax savings allow me to increase advertising for my clients' properties, increase specialized services, and increase face time with each individual client, which benefits both buyers and sellers in our community. Most importantly, it gives me more time with my family without sacrificing the quality of service or our financial future.”
“This discussion was a great opportunity for small business leaders to inform congress on how they're using the 199A pass-thorough deduction to grow their businesses and remain competitive ahead of its expiration,” said James Payne of NECA’s Director of Government Affairs.

 

NECA remains committed to protecting Section 199A and will continue to inform lawmakers about the importance of making this provision permanent. For more information on NECA’s advocacy efforts, visit NECA's Government Affairs page.