BILL NUMBER: S5837

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to providing for a credit
against personal income tax for volunteer firefighters and members of
volunteer ambulance corps

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

This bill gives a State income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and
members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $1,200.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends section 606 of the Tax Law by adding a new
subsection(qqq) providing credit to volunteer firefighters and volunteer
ambulance corps service members. The subsection provides that members of
a volunteer fire department or a member of a volunteer ambulance corps
who has been a member in good standing with a volunteer department for a
minimum of 5 years and who maintains continuous eligibility in this
              

State shall be allowed a credit against any income tax owed by such
member in an amount which is equal to the sum of $1,200 or the total
amount of the tax owed by the taxpayer if less than $1,200, whichever is
lower.

Section 2: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members provide essential
public services without compensation, often facing significant risks in
the line of duty. Given the vital role they play in communities across
the state, a tax incentive is both justified and necessary.  While many
localities offer a real property tax exemption as a form of recognition'
for their service, this benefit primarily assists homeowners, leaving
many volunteers-particularly younger individuals-unable to take advan-
tage of it. Establishing an income tax credit would ensure broader and
more equitable financial support for these dedicated individuals while
also serving as a valuable recruitment tool to attract new volunteers to
this critical public service.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2011: N/A

2012: S6635, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2013: S2111A, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2014: S2111A, Amend and Recommit to Investigations and Government Oper-
ations

2015: S1831A, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations


2016: S1831A, Amend and Recommit to Investigations and Government Oper-
ations

2017: S756, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2018: S756, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2019: S7016, Referred to Budget and Revenue

2020: S7016, Referred to Budget and Revenue

2021: S204, Referred to Budget and Revenue

2022: S204, Referred to Budget and Revenue

2023: S5944, Referred to Budget and Revenue

2024: S5944, Referred to Budget and Revenue

Assembly

2011: A4593A, Referred to Ways and Means

2012: A4593A, Held for Consideration in Ways and Means

2013: No Assembly Same-As

2014: No Assembly Same-As

2015: A4850A, Referred to Ways and Means

2016: A4850A, Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means

2017: N/A

2018: A9530, Referred to Ways and Means

2019: No Assembly Same-As

2020: No. Assembly Same-As

2021: A886, Referred to Ways and Means

2022: A886, Referred to Ways and Means

2023: A185, Referred to Ways and Means

2024: A185, Referred to Ways and Means

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next, succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to taxable
years beginning on or after such date. Effective immediately, the
Commissioner of taxation and finance is authorized to promulgate any and
all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to
implement this act on its effective date on or before such date.