Contact Congress about H.R. 996: Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act

Employers could get a federal tax credit for paid leave in two ways. They could count wages paid during leave, or premiums paid for paid-leave insurance. The bill also adds clearer worker and business rules.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Latest action on H.R. 996: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects employers that offer, or may want to offer, paid family and medical leave. It also affects workers whose access to paid leave may depend on whether their employer uses the tax credit. Small businesses, payroll companies, tax preparers, related business groups, and employers in states or cities with paid-leave laws would have the most to track.

Why this matters: Paid leave can be expensive for employers, and this bill could make the tax credit easier for some businesses to use. It gives employers another path by letting them count paid-leave insurance premiums. At the same time, it narrows some rules about workers, related companies, and state or local programs. The real effect would depend on whether employers respond by offering more leave or changing how they pay for it.

Key provisions in H.R. 996

• Employers could choose between two ways to claim the credit. They could use wages paid to workers on leave, or premiums they paid for paid family and medical leave insurance.
• For the insurance option, the policy’s pay rate cannot depend on whether workers actually took leave that tax year. The rate must be set without looking at actual leave use.
• Related businesses are usually treated as one employer for this credit. A company can use separate written leave policies only if it proves a real and valid business reason.
• Some reasons do not justify separate policies. Different business lines, wage levels, job types, or state and local leave laws would not be enough.
• State or local paid leave still counts when measuring the employer’s total paid leave. But the state- or local-paid part cannot increase the federal tax credit.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 996

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 996

What is H.R. 996?

Employers could get a federal tax credit for paid leave in two ways. They could count wages paid during leave, or premiums paid for paid-leave insurance. The bill also adds clearer worker and business rules.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 996?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 996?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 996 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.