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.”
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