PHCC BENEFIT OF THE MONTH - PHCC/ACCA Ohio Convention & EXPO - This is the place to recharge, get inspired, network and collect information and education with your business in mind.  Accredited for CEU hours for licensed contractors, or seeing and talking with manufacturer reps and suppliers about new and familiar products to help you work more efficiently day in and day out, you won’t want to be anywhere else. 

PHCC and Milwaukee Tool are teaming up to bring all PHCC Members a Special Promotion.  Click here for details!

3% Withholding Tax- President Obama signed the 3% withholding tax repeal on November 21 – the repeal bill also includes language offering companies, tax credits for hiring veterans.  The repeal was passed by the House and Senate unanimously – which in this political environment is truly unusual.

This is a significant victory for all PHCC members (whether the member engages in government contracting or not) and it is important to note – each one of you, including your PHCC members from your respective state, have an important piece in this victory.  Repealing the 3% withholding tax was a true grassroots initiative, there was nothing “behind closed doors or back room” on Capitol Hill about it, and is the way Washington, DC is doing business more than ever.  PHCC was able to generate over 620 letters to Capitol Hill recently supporting the repeal (over 1,000 letters including PHCC’s push for repeal bill co-sponsorship) – and lobbied on the issue at the 2011 Legislative Conference.  PHCC is being acknowledged in Washington, DC as a force -- and the only way to get to that point is when members weigh-in with their Member(s) of Congress.

Become a Fan of PHCC! Take advantage of our Facebook Page and connect with PHCC Ohio and other PHCC members while staying updated on the latest news and events. www.facebook.com/phccohio

PHCC’s 2012 Legislative Conference, April 25-26, 2012 in Washington D.C. - When it comes to legislation, can one person make a difference? Of course! But change is easier and more effective when a single individual joins with many others to speak louder, and with unity.

Now is your chance to get involved in your industry and help influence the laws that govern it. From April 25-26, 2012, members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) will be “taking care of business” during the annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Hear from Members of Congress and key regulatory officials, meet with your own congressional representatives face-to-face, and convey the small business priorities that are most crucial to the success of your company.  Visit www.phccweb.org for more information.

NEW! Connect with the PHCC Community Network- Engage with other members on the new PHCC Community Network (www.community.phccweb.org/Home/) an online resource available exclusively to PHCC members and another innovative addition to the PHCC website. It's a simple way to share experiences, discuss industry news and navigate the ins and outs of the p-h-c profession with members across the nation. Learn more about creating your profile and building your network with this helpful guide www.phcc.cms-plus.com/files/PDFs/CommunityNetwork_Guide.pdf. Call 800-533-7694 or email naphcc@naphcc.org if you have questions or need assistance. 

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has announced that the implementation date for its new employer posting obligation has been changed to April 30, 2012.
The NLRB stated it was extending the date from January 31, 2012, in order to “facilitate the resolution of the legal challenges that have been filed with respect to the rule.” This postponement comes at the request of the federal court in Washington, DC, and on the heels of several lawsuits filed by various business groups and proposed legislation by Congress challenging the legality of the NLRB’s rule. No other changes have been made to the Notice. If the rule is upheld, most employers, both union and non-union, will be required to post the 11x17 Notice. For a free copy of the Notice, go to NLRB’s website, www.nlrb.gov/poster

IRS Announces 2012 Standard Mileage Rates - The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2012 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2012, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) are:

• 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The rate for business miles driven is unchanged from the mid-year adjustment that became effective on July 1, 2011. The medical and moving rate has been reduced by 0.5 cents per mile.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study.