Creates a $1,500 wage tax credit for employers who employ New York national guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.
Summary
This bill creates two new employer tax credits under the New York tax law: one for businesses that employ New York National Guard members and reservists, and another for businesses that employ volunteer firefighters and EMS first responders. The credit amount is $1,500 per qualifying employee, and in each case the employee must have been employed for at least six months. For the National Guard/reserve credit, the employer must also comply with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The bill applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
The bill amends both the corporate franchise tax and the personal income tax provisions so that eligible taxpayers can claim the credits against either tax, depending on their filing status. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer’s liability, the excess may be refunded or carried forward, although no interest would be paid on refunded overpayments. The measure is intended to encourage private employers to retain and hire members of the military reserve components and emergency response volunteers by reducing their state tax burden.
Impact
The bill would add new wage-based tax credits to sections 210-B and 606 of the Tax Law, creating a direct fiscal incentive for employers who retain qualifying National Guard, reservist, volunteer firefighter, and EMS personnel. It would affect both business and individual taxpayers subject to the relevant tax articles, while also requiring compliance with USERRA for the military-related credit. The measure would likely reduce state tax revenues to the extent credits are claimed, and it would require the Department of Taxation and Finance to administer the new credit provisions beginning with tax years starting in 2027.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed positively as a support-and-retention incentive for public service personnel. The structure of the bill suggests a generally favorable policy approach toward employers that accommodate service obligations and volunteer emergency work. No opposition or amendments are reflected in the available materials, so there is no documented controversy in the record provided.
Contention
The main policy questions likely concern the cost of the credits to the state, whether a $1,500 credit is sufficient to influence employer behavior, and whether the eligibility rules are narrow or broad enough to target the intended workers. Another possible point of contention is the six-month employment requirement, which may limit access for newer hires, and the need to verify compliance with USERRA for the National Guard/reserve credit. No specific opponents or supporters are identified in the provided transcripts or votes, so any contention is inferred from the bill’s design rather than from recorded debate.
Same As
Creates a $1,500 wage tax credit for employers who employ New York national guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.
Allows volunteer firefighters or emergency services personnel to attend training required under 19 NYCRR 426 without being penalized by their employer; creates tax incentives for employing volunteer firefighters or emergency services personnel.
Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses paying a salary differential to National Guard members or reservists on active duty.