Page 23 - June-July 2025

TRAILERTALK
Unite for Action, Advocate for Progress

NTDA’s Advocacy Efforts Press for Tax Parity

for Semi-Trailer Dealers

The National Trailer Dealers Association’s (NTDA) Commercial These meetings provided
Trailer Advocacy PAC is stepping up its efforts to fight for fair tax a platform to explain the
treatment for semi-trailer dealers — and we couldn’t do it without the economic implications of the
passionate, hands-on involvement of our dedicated members. Despite current tax treatment and
being a vital component of the commercial transportation industry, to stress the urgent need for PAC
semi-trailer dealers continue to face an unfair disadvantage under the equity among all motor vehicle
current tax code. dealers.

A Push for Floor Plan Financing Deductibility Additionally, Mike Ruddle, Chief Executive Officer, of Doonan
Specialized Trailer, LLC, will meet with Senator Roger Marshall’s (R-KS)
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 163(j), motor vehicle dealers are office next week. Other members have also taken time to meet with
allowed to fully deduct interest on inventory financing — commonly their legislators and have made them aware of the floor plan tax issue.
referred to as “floor plan financing.” However, semi-trailer dealers are
limited to a 30% deduction. While the recently introduced Budget Continuing the Mission
Reconciliation proposal includes provisions granting full deductibility
to RV trailer dealers, it fails to do the same for semi-trailer dealers, The NTDA extends its heartfelt thanks to the members and supporters
effectively leaving them as the only motor vehicle dealers without who have reached out to their elected representatives or contributed
access to this crucial financial relief. to the PAC. Thanks to your collective efforts, the PAC has raised
$43,500, with $5,400 strategically directed to legislators who support
Taking the Fight to Capitol Hill our position to-date. This kind of financial backing and personal
outreach is has been instrumental in amplifying the voice of the trailer
NTDA President Gwen Brown and Paul Christenson of North American dealer industry on Capitol Hill.
Trailer and Chairman of the PAC Ad Hoc Legislative Committee,
recently traveled to Washington, DC to press the case for parity. Brown The NTDA extends its sincere and heartfelt appreciation to every
and Christenson were joined by NTDA’s lobbyist, Timothy Lynch, member who has joined this fight. To date, more than 80 members
Senior Director at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. have contacted their elected officials — sending letters, making
phone calls, and speaking out. This groundswell of grassroots
Together, we engaged in a series of critical meetings with members energy is a clear signal to lawmakers that the issue matters deeply to
of Congress and the Senate to advocate for legislative changes that constituents.
would extend full interest deductibility to semi-trailer dealers. Our
efforts have focused heavily on members of the Senate Finance We also wish to thank the following manufacturers that have also
Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee — two key contacted their representatives in support of the NTDA’s legislative
congressional bodies responsible for tax legislation. initiative on behalf of their dealers:
Strategic Meetings With Key Lawmakers • Doonan Specialized Trailer LLC
• Dorsey Trailer
The NTDA delegation held productive discussions with: • Great Dane Trailers
• House Representatives: • Hyundai Translead
• MAC Trailer Manufacturing
o Rudy Yakym (R-IN) • Stoughton Trailers
• Strick Trailers, LLC
o Jason Smith (R-MO) • Talbert Manufacturing, Inc.
• Wabash
o Blake Moore (R-UT)
• Senators: As the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” moves forward, the NTDA’s
leadership and advocacy team remain committed to securing equal
o Mike Lee (R-UT) treatment for trailer dealers. If trailer dealers are not included in the
“One Big Beautiful Bill” under the revision to Internal Revenue Code
o Todd Young (R-IN) Section 163(j), we will keep working on separate legislation to give

o Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Finance equal treatment to our industry.
Committee The pursuit of fairness in tax policy is far from over — but with

o John Barrasso (R-WY) continued support and strategic advocacy, change is within reach.
Your grassroots advocacy is the engine driving this campaign forward,
o James Lankford (R-OK) and we are deeply thankful for every call made, letter written, and
conversation initiated on behalf of our industry. Let’s keep the
momentum going.
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