I'm writing to urge support for extending the Research and Development tax credit as soon as possible.

The R&D Credit expired December 31, 2009. Congress should include in the next available legislative vehicle a seamless extension (permanent or for as long a period as possible) of a strengthened credit.

Created by Congress in 1981, the R&D tax credit has fostered private sector R&D investment by companies of all sizes and has led to the creation of innovative new products such as energy-efficient appliances, faster Internet and communications capabilities, vaccines and improved national security. The Research and Development Tax Credit spurs innovation, economic growth and societal benefits - and nearly 70 percent of the credit goes directly to job creation.

It is imperative that Congress acts to strengthen the simplified credit by extending and increasing the new alternative simplified credit (ASC) rate from 14% to 20%. This would provide:

• An increased incentive to locate more R&D jobs in the United States; and


• A globally competitive credit for all research-intensive companies.