I qualify for the firefighter/safety officer deduction. I have clicked yes on this question but when I go back to edit I find it has been turned off. Why? How do I be sure I am getting that deduction. I do not find it on the 1040 tax return form?
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When you go back through the interview, you are resetting the default to no Answer the questions once and then leave them alone. If you look at your 1040, the taxable amount of your retirement income should be reduced by $3,000; there's no separate deduction.
Click on Tax Tools on the left, then Tools. Choose view my Tax Summary, then Preview my 1040.
When you go back through the interview, you are resetting the default to no Answer the questions once and then leave them alone. If you look at your 1040, the taxable amount of your retirement income should be reduced by $3,000; there's no separate deduction.
Click on Tax Tools on the left, then Tools. Choose view my Tax Summary, then Preview my 1040.
In general, the following describes tax benefits available to firefighters. There are specific additional benefits offered by certain states or municipalities- South Carolina for example.
Specific answers vary both by state and municipality.
IRS Statement:
http://www.irs.gov/Government-Entities/Federal,-State-&-Local-Governments/Issues-for-Firefighte...
In response to several various questions in no particular sequence:
Here follows my general answers to FF questions.
Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency medical responders should not include in reported income the following benefits received as payments by the state or city for which you volunteer:
1. Rebates or reductions of property or income taxes you receive because of services that you performed.
2. Payments you receive because of services you performed up to $30 per month. This value of $30 is the statutory maximum amount that is tax-exempt.
Now as for expenses, if you do not receive a W-2 [yes, some municipalities do issue W-2 for part-time and call firefighters], then all expenses that you incur including mileage as well as any costs for gear and equipment that you yourself pay and are not reimbursed are all deductible on Schedule A as charitable contributions.
Additionally there are some states that offer specific tax credits on the state income tax for call/volunteer fire department members.
Volunteer firefighters are emergency services personnel who assist as first responders to various situations. Fires, car wrecks and industrial accidents all require firefighters for assistance. The expenses incurred by volunteer firefighters can add up throughout the year and those performing such a public service can deduct all viable expenses on income tax returns to help offset the cost of being a volunteer.
Firefighters who volunteer at a station are issued bunker gear, boots, safety goggles and other types of protective clothing to ensure their personal safety while performing duties. Firefighters who choose to purchase additional gear, at their own expense, can deduct the cost of the items as a charitable contribution. This type of deduction is allowed if the items cannot be used for other purposes and the items are solely for the use of volunteering services to the charitable organization, in this case the volunteer fire department.
Mileage
Volunteer firefighters who need to drive between home, work, school or elsewhere to the fire station to take fire calls can log those miles accumulated throughout the year and deduct those as a charitable expense. This type of deduction is taken as a type of charitable contribution as the mileage is accrued to provide a service to the organization. The standard rate for mileage is used to calculate the total deduction available for the current tax year.
Training and Education
Training and continuing education, relevant to firefighting and emergency services, is provided by the volunteer fire station on a routine basis. You may also opt to take additional classes and sessions to further enhance your own skills to make yourself a more qualified firefighter. You can deduct the amount paid for such classes and coursework as an educational expense that was not reimbursed by using the line available on Form 1040. You do not need to itemize your deductions to receive this deduction.
Donations
Volunteer firefighters are required to pay annual dues to the fire company to be considered full and active members of the station. The dues can be deducted from income taxes under the dues and membership section of Schedule A for Form 1040 for those with enough itemized deductions to surpass the standard deduction, or the firehouse dues can be deducted as a straight charitable contribution.
Hope this helps.
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