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Congressman Ralph Norman Introduces Legislation to Help Protect First Responders

Washington, D.C., May 7, 2019 | Austin Livingston ((803) 833-0030)
On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-5) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to help police, fire and EMS personnel who are injured in the line of duty.
 
Under existing law, if a first responder is injured on the job and is unable to work, disability compensation is not subject to federal income tax. However, this tax relief applies only until reaching his/her original date of retirement. After that date, disability payments then become subject to income tax, which can often represent a financial burden to those heroes with long-term or career-ending injuries.
 
Rep. Norman's legislation, titled "Putting Our First Responders First Act", seeks to help first responders in this situation by exempting all disability payments from federal income tax, regardless of retirement age. Rep. Norman issued the following statement after filing this legislation:

"Each year, hundreds of our police, fire, and EMS personnel are seriously injured in the line of duty. Their jobs carry enormous risk, and their safety is never guaranteed. Our first responders and their families live with the reality that, every day, the unthinkable could happen.

This legislation would ensure that any first responder who is injured in the line of duty would not be subject to income tax on disability payments for as long as he or she lives. It will also provide the IRS and its auditors with much-needed guidance on the tax-exempt status of these individuals."
 
Rep. Norman's legislation has been endorsed by several law enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations and Women in Federal Law Enforcement.

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