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Congressman Chris Collins

Representing the 27th District of New York

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After Demanding Answers, Congressman Chris Collins Says Volunteer Fire Depts. Not Subject to ObamaCare

Jan 10, 2014
Press Release

After pressing for answers for months, Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) says the IRS will not force volunteer fire departments to comply with ObamaCare’s expensive employer mandate.

The Department of Treasury sent a letter to Congressman Collins this afternoon clarifying its policy. 

For months, the IRS and Obama Administration refused to answer if volunteer fire departments would be subject to ObamaCare regulations, as volunteers are classified as employees by the IRS for tax purposes.

“The uncertainly of this classification left me seriously concerned about the potential impact ObamaCare would have on volunteer fire companies across the country,” said Congressman Collins. “Today I am glad to share that our nation’s volunteer fire departments will not be crippled by unnecessary costs brought on by ObamaCare, so they can focus on the important work of protecting our communities.”

In November of last year, Congressman Collins wrote a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the IRS seeking a specific exemption for volunteer responders. Earlier this week he spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of legislation (H.R. 3685) that would ensure volunteer service responders would not be classified as full-time employees under ObamaCare.

To read the full text of the letter from the Department of Treasury to Congressman Collins click here.

To watch Congressman Collins speak about H.R. 3685 on the floor of the House of Representatives click here.