WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling on Congress to rescue America’s public safety officers and volunteers from crippling IRS taxes, US Rep. Ron Paul (R, Texas) has introduced the “Public Safety Tax Cut Act,” H.R. 3124. Paul said he introduced the bill in response to outcry among volunteers in Texas Congressional District 14 against the negative impacts of recent IRS audits.

The legislation will effectively overturn a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service which has declared as taxable income those fees which are waived by local governments for volunteers of public safety service. Rep. Paul said that local entities have provided these waivers to encourage volunteerism, though “seldom do these benefits come anywhere near the level of a true compensation for the many hours of training and service required of volunteers.” Still, the IRS has issued rulings that strip away this powerful volunteer recruitment incentive and compensation, and penalize volunteers for providing services. As a result, many local entities have decided to withhold these benefits.

Additionally, the “Public Safety Tax Cut Act” would provide paid professional police and fire officers with a $1,000 per year tax credit. “These professional public safety officers put their lives on the line each and every day,” said Rep. Paul, “and I think we all agree that there is no way to properly compensate them for the fabulous service they provide.”

Many rural communities across the country depend upon volunteer forces for public safety, and communities everywhere in America have a tradition of local law enforcement. Congressman Paul’s legislation would to reinforce the traditions of public safety in this nation by reducing federal taxation and regulations, raising the take-home pay of professional public safety officers.

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