ASLA Releases Tax Recommendations to Congress and the Administration

May 1, 2025
ASLA has submitted a series of forward-looking tax policy recommendations to Congress and the administration – Providing Tax Relief and Incentives for the Landscape Architecture Profession - capitalizing on the upcoming expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These recommendations are designed to not only support the growth of the landscape architecture profession, but also to spur economic revitalization and sustainable development in communities across the country.

ASLA’s proposed reforms aim to create a more supportive tax environment for landscape architecture firms—many of which are small businesses—by modernizing and strengthening existing provisions. Among the key proposals:
  • Expanding 529 Savings Plans to cover licensing and credentialing costs through the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.
  • Restoring the one-year R&D tax deduction for small businesses via the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act.
  • Reinstating the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive, which supports cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites.
  • Maintaining tax-exempt status for municipal bonds, critical for funding parks and transportation infrastructure, and public space projects.
  • Protecting tax-exempt status for nonprofits, including ASLA, to continue providing vital services and professional development.
ASLA emphasizes that these targeted tax strategies will help landscape architecture firms reinvest in their operations, expand their workforce, and drive local economies. Just as importantly, these policies support broader societal goals such as environmental stewardship, public health, and equitable community development.
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