The RECRUIT Act would provide a tax credit to small businesses, like orthodontic practices, that hire and retain members of the National Guard and Reserves.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) issued its thanks to members of Congress sponsoring the RECRUIT Act, which would provide a tax credit to small businesses, like orthodontic practices, that hire and retain members of the National Guard and Reserve. The credit would be $1,000 per service members, plus an additional amount based on the amount of days served beyond the 39 days of weekend training and annual training.

According to the AAO, for practices that have not been profitable over the course of the year, the credit would be offered as a payroll tax credit. 

Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill) and Jerry Morgan (R-Kan) along with Representiatives Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Steven Palazzo (R-Miss) sponsored H.R.1854/S.1178, or the Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes. 

As the AAO points out, many dentists and support staff are members of the National Guard and Reserve. The bill would provide an incentive to hire and retain those who are serving at a time when service men and women are deployed around the world at historic numbers, and when National Guard and Reservists have been deployed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The AAO is asking its members to send a letter of thanks to the RECRUIT Act sponsors and co-sponsors and to ask their senator or representative to support the bill.