Helping Our Heroes Act
Summary
The "Helping Our Heroes Act" proposes amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow volunteer firefighters, emergency medical, and rescue personnel to claim a charitable deduction for their services. Each hour of qualified service would be treated as a $20 contribution, capped at 300 hours per year. This deduction would also be available to individuals who do not itemize deductions.
Expected Effects
This act would provide a tax benefit to volunteer first responders, potentially incentivizing more people to volunteer. It could also reduce the tax burden on these individuals, recognizing the value of their service to the community. The act also includes an inflation adjustment to the $20/hour valuation, starting in 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
- Recognizes the value of volunteer services to the community.
- May incentivize more people to volunteer for these critical roles.
- Offers a financial benefit to those who may not typically itemize deductions.
- Includes an inflation adjustment to maintain the value of the deduction over time.
Potential Disadvantages
- May create additional complexity in tax filings and verification processes.
- The financial benefit may be limited by the 300-hour cap.
- Potential for abuse if verification processes are not robust.
- May disproportionately benefit higher-income volunteers who are more likely to itemize deductions (despite the provision for non-itemizers).
- Could slightly reduce government tax revenue.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to support essential community services provided by volunteers. Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. This bill falls under the power of Congress to incentivize certain behaviors through the tax code, promoting the general welfare by supporting volunteer emergency services.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).