To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate

Tell Congress to Make Advertisers Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes

Congress should pass legislation to close a tax loophole that allows corporations to write off advertising expenses. The loophole incentivizes excessive marketing -- much of which targets children, promotes unhealthy foods and products, or encourages runaway consumption -- while costing billions in lost federal revenue.

Why is this important?

Under one provision of a tax bill in Congress, businesses would no longer be able to take one-time tax deductions for all of the billions and billions they spend on marketing.

A top advertising industry lobbyist said it was "a dreadful idea." So we know it would be effective.

With advertising spending expected to increase, just in the U.S., to $160.8 billion in 2014 -- much of it targeting children, promoting unhealthy foods and products, or encouraging over-consumption -- closing this loophole that incentivizes excessive marketing would be a much-needed reform.

Business expenses such as rent and utilities are immediately and fully deductible because at any moment in time they are essential to being in business. But because money spent on advertising can pay off over many years, this reform would require tax write-offs for advertising to be spread out over time as well.

The reform is projected to increase federal tax revenue by $169 billion over the next ten years. That's revenue that could help fund important education, health care and other government programs.