NEW CITY – Rockland County legislators
are poised to support state and federal bills to provide tax relief to
qualifying active volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers
and volunteer emergency medical personnel.
The state Assembly bill would amend state tax law to allow volunteers
a tax credit for active service. They would be allowed a $200 service
credit for one year of service and $100 per year thereafter, for up to
10 years with a maximum credit of $1,100.
To be considered active, a volunteer would have to attend more than 40
percent of the company’s activities per year.
The House of Representatives’ bill would amend the IRS code to allow
volunteers to claim up to 300 hours of service at the rate of $20 per
hour as a charitable contribution to their respective department.
“These bills are sincere in the intent to compensate our volunteer
firefighters, ambulance corps workers and emergency medical personnel
for the invaluable services they perform to protect lives, and the health,
safety and property of our residents and business owners,” said
Rockland Legislator Aney Paul, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee.
“Because of the cost to the volunteer in time and money, it has
become increasingly difficult to retain and recruit volunteer personnel.”
