Rep. Zeldin Calls for House Passage of Bill to Provide First Responders, Medical Professionals Tax Break Amid Coronavirus

WASHINGTON - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force and Opening Up America Again Congressional Group, is calling for House passage of the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations Act (H.R. 6433), which he cosponsors. This legislation would provide a four month federal income tax holiday for medical professionals and first responders, in counties with at least one positive COVID-19 patient, including: law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, EMT’s, paramedics, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, doctors, hospital and licensed medical facility support staff, and senior care facility staff during the coronavirus outbreak.

“In the battle against coronavirus, our communities’ first responders and health care professionals have laid it all on the line to protect their neighbors in the face of an unprecedented enemy,” said Congressman Zeldin. “They have fought, and continue to fight, on the front lines of coronavirus, and ensuring they can keep more of their hard-earned paycheck is the least we could do in light of their courage and dedication.” 

H.R. 6433 is modeled after how members of the military serving in combat zones designated by the Department of Defense are exempted from having to pay federal tax on their income. The legislation also provides the Secretary of the Treasury with the ability to extend the tax holiday for up to three additional months.