Senate Bill S6019

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6019

SPONSOR: BASKIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to repeal paragraph 2 of subsection (e-1) of section 606 of the
tax law relating to the effect of the volunteer firefighters' and ambu-
lance workers' property tax credit on the volunteer firefighters' and
ambulance workers' income tax credit

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to allow volunteer firefighters and ambu-
lance workers to receive both the volunteer firefighters and ambulance
workers tax credit and, if locally enacted, a real property tax
exemption.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would repeal paragraph 2 of subsection (e-1) of
section 606 of the Tax Law.

              

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately and shall apply to taxable years beginning on or
after January 1, 2025.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Chapter 670 of the Laws of 2022 allows for any county to adopt a local
law to provide an exemption on real property owned by an enrolled member
of an incorporated volunteer fire company, department, or voluntary
ambulance service. However, current statute does not allow eligible
volunteers to receive both a local property tax exemption and an exist-
ing State tax credit.

This bill would allow volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to
receive both the state tax credit and up to a 10% exemption of assessed
value local property tax exemption, if authorized by their municipality.

Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers provide a significant bene-
fit to residents through their countless hours of service and ultimately
save taxpayers and governments far more in replacement paid services
than the income to credit and local property tax exemption. These small
financial incentives are substantial recruitment and retention tools
that are vital to preventing the State's volunteer departments from
disintegrating.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2025.