Maryland Governor Proposes Tax Relief for Police, Firefighters and First Responders
On January 9, 2020, honoring National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Maryland Governor Hogan announced that he is introducing legislation to provide tax relief for police, firefighters, and first responders. He also urged lawmakers to pass his crime plan consisting of a series of initiatives and expanded legislation to address violent crime.[1]
Specifically, Governor Hogan’s announcement clarified that The Hometown Heroes Act of 2020 would exempt law enforcement, fire, rescue, corrections, and emergency response personnel from Maryland state tax on all their retirement income tied to service in those professions. Also, he is strongly advocating for the age of eligibility to be lowered from 55 to 50. Governor Hogan emphasized that:
Our top priority is keeping our citizens safe, and in order to do that it is essential that our police officers, firefighters, and all of our first responders have the tools, the support, and the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. The out-of-control violence in our streets is the number one problem facing the state and the number one concern of Marylanders-passing our crime package absolutely must be job number one for the legislature.[2]
Additionally, in the same announcement, Governor Hogan encouraged passage of his initiatives and expanded legislation intended to “get violent offenders off the streets and address the violent crime crisis facing Baltimore City.”[3]The Office of Governor Larry Hogan encourages those interested in learning more about these measures to visit: https://governor.maryland.gov/session2020-crime/.
If you have tax questions or concerns, contact Frost Law today at 410-497-5947.
[1]See Md. Governor’s Office, News Release, 01/09/20, at https://governor.maryland.gov/2020/01/09/law-enforcement-appreciation-day-governor-hogan-announces-hometown-heroes-legislation-urges-passage-of-violent-crime-initiatives/.
[2]Id.
[3]Id.
