Daines, Tester fight for first responders

Press release 

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Jon Tester reintroduced the bipartisan Putting First Responders First Act to clarify the current tax code to ensure injured first responders do not have to pay taxes on injury-related compensation. Daines and Tester introduced the bill ahead of National Police Week.

“Montana’s first responders risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” Daines said. “This legislation will ensure these brave men and women will no longer endure unfair taxes or audits from the IRS as a result of the sacrifices they have made for our safety.” 

“Montana’s first responders put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” Tester said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that folks injured in the line of duty have full access to their disability payments. They shouldn’t have to pay for their sacrifices by being unreasonably taxed or audited by the IRS.”

The legislation was inspired by the story of the now retired Billings police officer, Ladd Paulson. In 2002, Paulson was hit by an impaired driver while he was conducting a routine traffic stop on his motorcycle. He survived the near-death experience, but was left with severe injuries. After the accident, the Internal Revenue Service audited Paulson for five years in a row after he did not file taxes on treatment for his injuries. To this day, Paulson still receives letters from the IRS.

Daines and Tester first introduced the Putting First Responders First Act May 18, 2018, during National Police Week.