New Ulm, MN — The ATA continues to educate industry professionals, engage with partners and Congress, and work on behalf of its members to fight Federal Excise Tax Slippage, an issue affecting the archery industry, the entire conservation community, and individual manufacturers, dealers and consumers.
In short, millions of federal excise tax dollars are lost annually through online marketplaces, where non-U.S. companies sell products direct to U.S. consumers. These transactions put American archery manufacturers at an 11% tax disadvantage and hurt state wildlife agencies that rely on FET dollars to conduct necessary habitat restoration, hunter education, wildlife research and other conservation projects. To learn more about FET Slippage, click here.
Dan Forster, ATA’s vice president and chief conservation officer, is actively working on Capitol Hill to create legislation that combats FET Slippage. He also recently shared FET Slippage updates on two ATA-partner platforms to educate the public:
- Aug. 19 Hunting Wire Feature Article: Forster co-authored an educational article that overviewed the FET collection process explained in the Wildlife Restoration Act and identified where excise taxes are “slipping” through the cracks. The piece also explains the Government Accountability Office’s recommendation for repairing FET Slippage, which is to change the law so U.S. online marketplaces are responsible for paying excise taxes, resulting in a repaired tax system.
- Sept. 4 National Deer Association “Coffee & Deer” Podcast: Forster introduced himself and shared information about FET Slippage, further discussing the problem, industry impacts and community support. He also overviewed the evolution of congressional engagement, the recent Government Accountability Office Report and legislative efforts moving forward.
FET Slippage remains a top priority. The ATA will not put this issue to rest until Congress closes the loophole in the FET system. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months.
Questions? Please contact Dan Forster, ATA’s vice president and chief conservation officer, at (507) 233-8143 or danforster@archerytrade.org.
Kick off the new year at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis, Jan. 8-10! The world’s largest archery-only show gathers over 700 retailers and 500 exhibitors under one roof for three days of face-to-face business. Register now!
