BILL NUMBER: S3905A

SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the tax law, in relation to the volun-
teer firefighters' and ambulance workers' credit; and to repeal para-
graph 2 of subsection (e-2) of section 606 of such law relating thereto

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would allow volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to
receive both the volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers tax credit
and a locally enacted real property tax exemption.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one repeals paragraph 2 of subsection (e-2) of section 606 of
the tax law. Section two renumbers the paragraphs 3 and 4 of subsection
(e-2) of section 606 of the tax law. Section three provides for the
effective date.

 
              

JUSTIFICATION:

Our volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers answer the emergency
call no matter the weather, the conditions or the circumstances each and
every day, putting their lives on the line for all of us. Over the past
few years, the state and its municipalities have sought to encourage
more emergency volunteers through a state tax credit and locally enacted
real property tax exemptions. Unfortunately, a quirk in the law does not
allow a volunteer to receive both a property tax exemption and the state
tax credit. In an effort to correct this, this bill would allow volun-
teer firefighters and ambulance workers to receive both the tax credit -
which amounts to $200 off their income taxes - and a tax exemption which
is generally limited to, at most, a $3,000 reduction in the assessed
value of their home. Given the enormous amount of time that these volun-
teers put in and the savings that local governments realize estimated at
$2.9 billion annually from having volunteer fire and ambulance compa-
nies, it would seem only fair to allow them to receive both the tax
credit and a tax exemption.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2015-16 - S. 2727a - Passed Senate/A. 7240a - Ways and Means Committee
2013-14 - S. 20908 - Passed Senate/A. 2444B - Ways and Means Committee

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate and shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January
1, 2020.