The National Volunteer Fire Council is urging federal lawmakers to permanently extend tax exemptions for certain recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer firefighters.
Under the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act, property tax benefits and as much as $600 in other annual incentives for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers are exempt from federal income tax and reporting requirements. The act is set to expire at the end of 2020.
Congress is currently considering legislation—H.R. 1241 and S. 1210—that would make the exemptions permanent. The NVFC is asking volunteer firefighters, EMS workers and others to contact their senators and representatives and tell them to co-sponsor the legislation.
From 2008 to 2010, the VRIPA originally exempted property tax benefits and as much as $360 in other annual incentives. The act expired in 2010, but it was restored for the 2020 tax year, according to the NVFC.
Go to the National Volunteer Fire Council's website for information about the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act and how to contact federal lawmakers.
