ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) \u2013 New York will increase a state tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.<\/p>\n
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation to raise the personal income tax credit from $200 to $800 for individuals and from $400 to $1,600 for married couples. The expanded credit will be available beginning in tax year 2027.<\/p>\n
Eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers will be able to claim the benefit when filing their taxes in 2028. Under the new law, they may claim either the increased state income tax credit or a qualifying local property tax exemption.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping New York safe and affordable is my highest priority. Today, I\u2019m proud to sign into law a bill that recognizes the sacrifices that all volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers make,\u201d Governor Hochul said. \u201cThese brave New Yorkers put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors, often sacrificing time with their families and loved ones. This tax credit puts more money back in their pockets and shows our appreciation for the lifesaving services they provide every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The law is A.6790 A\/S.6233 A. The governor\u2019s office said it builds on earlier steps aimed at supporting volunteer first responders and helping with recruitment and retention.<\/p>\n
Those steps include legislation allowing local governments to offer volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers a property tax exemption of up to 10 percent. They also include a training stipend program that has supported more than 5,500 firefighters completing foundational training, authorization for volunteer departments to bill insurance providers for emergency medical services and investment in the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment grant program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to protecting their neighbors, New York\u2019s volunteer fire departments are often a part of the fabric of their communities. Whether through the creation of the V FIRE grant or the Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend, Governor Hochul has continuously been a strong supporter of New York\u2019s volunteer fire service and the expansion of this tax credit further demonstrates that commitment,\u201d Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O\u2019Leary said.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Monica R. Martinez said the income tax credit had remained unchanged for nearly two decades. She said increasing it offers more financial support to people who serve while helping local departments recruit and retain volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers dedicate themselves to keeping New Yorkers safe, but that commitment has not been adequately reflected in an income tax credit that has remained unchanged for nearly two decades,\u201d State Senator Monica R. Martinez said. \u201cThe demands of volunteer service come at a personal cost, and increasing this credit provides greater financial support to those who serve while helping local departments recruit and retain volunteers. I thank Governor Hochul for working with the Legislature to make this increase a reality for those who give so much to protect others, and hope it encourages more people to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assemblymember Karen McMahon said volunteer fire departments across New York are facing declining membership. She said the higher credit is a step toward strengthening recruitment and retention.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteer firefighters answer the call day and night, putting their own safety at risk to protect the lives and property of their neighbors. With volunteer fire departments across New York facing declining membership, increasing the income tax credit for the first time in nearly two decades is a critical step toward strengthening recruitment and retention while recognizing the extraordinary sacrifices these individuals make,\u201d Assemblymember Karen McMahon said. \u201cI was proud to sponsor this legislation in the Assembly and thank Governor Hochul for signing it into law. This fiscally responsible investment will strengthen volunteer fire departments, support those who serve, and help safeguard communities across New York State.\u201d<\/p>\n
Firefighters Association of the State of New York President Donald Farrell said the change sends a message of support to current volunteers and potential recruits.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteer firefighters across New York show up at 3 a.m. without asking why. They leave their families, their jobs and their beds to answer the call, and they do it for free,\u201d Donald Farrell said. \u201cGovernor Hochul showed up for them. She listened to volunteers from every corner of this state, she understood what they were up against, and she made this tax credit a priority. This is a real thank you to the men and women serving today, and it\u2019s how we bring in the next generation. When a young person is deciding whether to join their local firehouse, this tells them the state has their back. On behalf of FASNY and every volunteer firefighter in New York: thank you, Governor.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) \u2013 New York will increase a state tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":375982,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":["post-375981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-staten-island","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-staten-island","tag-staten-island-headlines","tag-staten-island-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=375981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/375982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=375981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=375981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=375981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}