SB0050 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 03422 HLH 48428 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB0050

Introduced 1/20/2023, by Sen. Jil Tracy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

35 ILCS 5/234 new

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each individual who serves as a volunteer firefighter, a volunteer EMS provider, or a volunteer emergency worker during the taxable year is entitled to a credit in an amount equal to $1,000. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Income Tax Act is amended by adding Section 234 as follows:

(35 ILCS 5/234 new)

Sec. 234. Volunteer firefighters, volunteer EMS providers, and volunteer emergency workers.

(a) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, each individual who serves, for not fewer than 6 months during the taxable year, as a volunteer firefighter, a volunteer EMS provider, or a volunteer emergency worker is entitled to a credit against the taxes imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 in an amount equal to $1,000. Taxpayers shall reapply for the credit on an annual basis.

(b) In no event shall a credit under this Section reduce a taxpayer's liability to less than zero.

(c) As used in this Section:

"Volunteer emergency worker" has the meaning given to that term in the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act.

"Volunteer EMS provider" has the meaning given to that term in Section 1-220 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

"Volunteer firefighter" means a firefighter who does not receive monetary compensation for his or her service in excess of the amount that qualifies the individual as a volunteer firefighter under the interpretation by the United States Department of Labor of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(d) This Section is exempt from the provisions of Section 250.

(e) In order to qualify for the credit provided by this Section, an individual must provide with the individual's tax return a written certification from the chief of the fire department or an authorized official of the EMS provider organization of which the individual is a member that (i) the member has served as a member of the fire department or the EMS provider organization for not fewer than 6 months of the taxable year for which the tax credit is claimed and (ii) the individual has met all participation and training requirements of the fire department or the EMS provider organization for that calendar year.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.