Reichert Introduces Tax Relief Bill For Volunteer Firefighters and EMS

Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide a tax exemption on the benefits volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel receive from their communities.

The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2017 (VRIPA) legislation provides federal income tax exemptions on some of the benefits that a state or local government provides as a recruitment or retention incentive.

Reichert said "giving the tax relief is the least we could do for individuals who are willing to run into a burning building or provide life-saving care on our behalf.”

The National Volunteer Fire Council estimates the average volunteer firefighter donates services worth more than $18,000 to the community they serve each year.