What the Fiscal Cliff Deal Means for Architects

The American Institute of Architects National office has released a video and a blog post summing up the impacts of yesterday’s “Fiscal Cliff” deal from the federal government, as relevant to AIA members. Andrew Goldberg, Assoc. AIA and a member of the AIA advocacy staff, claims that the deal voids many of the feared negative impacts had Congress failed to make a deal, but still in question is $2 billion worth of budget cuts for design and construction projects—so-called “sequestration” cuts—which Congress will debate two months from now, in March. Goldberg states that AIA analysis projects that 60,000 jobs would be at risk if Congress makes the sequestration cuts. Goldberg also briefly covers good news/bad news about the changes in income tax, payroll tax, alternative minimum tax, and estate taxes, and reports good news for tax credits that incentivize energy efficient homes and schools. The AIA promises to monitor ongoing negotiations, and you can monitor their efforts at the AIA advocacy website.