Princeton Packet
12 December, 1986

Safety volunteers may get tax break

TRENTON — Residents would get a tax break for joining loc,a1 volunteer fire companies and rescue squads under a measure released this week from an Assembly committee.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Palaia (R-Monmouth), is part of a total legislative package designed to provide assistance to,emergency service, units.

It would grant volunteer firefighters, rescue squad and first aid squad members a $1,000 exemption on their New Jersey Gross Income Tax.

According to Assemblyman Palaia, a volunteer would have to be an active member of a company which meets certain standards in order to, qualify for the tax exemption.

“It is obvious that the state must provide added personal. incentives to attract more individuals to the ranks of public safety organizations,” he said. “A tax break may be one of the ingredients necessary to convince an undecided resident to volunteer their time.”

Another measure in the package, passed recently in the Assembly, would create a study commission to explore the creation of a pension’ fund for emergency service volunteers.