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WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, formally introduced the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations, or HEROES Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, April 3. The bill would create a federal tax holiday for individuals working to combat the coronavirus crisis.
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The HEROES Act would provide a four month federal income tax holiday for medical professionals and first responders, in counties with at least one positive COVID-19 patient, including: law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMT's, paramedics, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, hospital and licensed medical facility support staff, and senior care facility staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
"Medical professionals and first responders across America are serving on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus." Huizenga said in a statement. "The HEROES Act provides a way for the federal government to say thank you for the courage, dedication, and care given by these individuals in the face of the unprecedented threat posed by the coronavirus."
The HEROES Act is modeled after how members of the military serving in combat zones designated by the Department of Defense are exempted from having to pay federal tax on their income. The legislation also provides the Secretary of the Treasury with the ability to extend the tax holiday for up to an additional three months.
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