posted 13 January 2000 12:40 AM               

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From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 10:15:52 -0600
Subject: FYI: QA standards and IRS deductions /Bradley

Subject: FYI: QA standards and IRS deductions

From: David Bradley [email protected]

Quality Today is publishing that the IRS is changing the rules for deducting certification costs. For more information, you can visit Quality Today's website at: www.qualitytoday.com. I know this only affects the US participants, but it is a big enough thing, that I thought it should be published.

posted 14 January 2000 01:11 AM               

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Date 1/6/00

Business granted deduction for QA standards Businesses will gain a new tax deduction for the costs of meeting international quality standards under a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service, which reversed its previous position. The decision Thursday involves a series of quality guidelines known as ISO 9000 that businesses around the world use for goods and services. Companies get certified by the International Organization for Standardization by documenting their processes so all current and future employees will continue to meet the same standards.

The National Association of Manufacturers, the National Federation for Independent Business and other organizations petitioned the IRS in 1998 to permit companies to fully deduct the costs of gaining certification in a single year, instead of spreading the costs out over multiple years. Obtaining certification, the groups said in a joint letter, "can be both expensive and time consuming, particularly for small businesses." An average cost estimate was placed at $60,000.