The New York IT-245 form is a tax document used to claim the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Ambulance Workers’ Credit under New York State tax law. This credit is available to full-year residents who have served as active volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers throughout the tax year. To qualify, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including not receiving a real property tax exemption for their volunteer services.
The New York IT-245 form serves as a crucial document for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers seeking a tax credit. This form is specifically designed for full-year residents of New York State who have dedicated their time to serving their communities as active volunteers. To qualify for the credit, applicants must confirm their residency status and their active participation in volunteer firefighting or ambulance services throughout the tax year. Notably, individuals who have already received a real property tax exemption related to their volunteer work are ineligible for this credit. The form requires basic identifying information, such as names and social security numbers, and includes a series of eligibility questions that determine whether applicants can proceed with the credit claim. If eligible, the form outlines how to calculate the credit amount, which can be $200 or $400, depending on whether one or both spouses qualify. Ultimately, the IT-245 form plays a significant role in recognizing the contributions of these volunteers while providing them with potential financial relief on their tax returns.
Here are seven common misconceptions about the New York IT-245 form, along with clarifications to help you understand it better.
When filling out the New York IT-245 form, it is essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here are five things to do and avoid:
The New York IT-245 form is designed for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to claim a tax credit. Several other forms serve similar purposes in different contexts. Here’s a list of those forms and how they relate to the IT-245:
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Claim for Volunteer Firefighters’ and Ambulance Workers’ Credit
Tax Law—Section 606(e-1)
Attach your completed Form IT-245 to Form IT-201. See instructions on back.
IT-245
Step 1 — Enter identifying information
Your name as shown on return
Your social security number
Spouse’s name
Spouse’s social security number
Step 2 — Determine eligibility ( for lines 1 through 3, mark an X in the appropriate box )
1 Were you (and your spouse if iling a joint return) a New York State resident for all of this tax year? ......
If you marked an X in the No box, stop; you do not qualify for this credit.
2 Were you an active volunteer ireighter or ambulance worker for all of this tax year
who did not receive a real property tax exemption for these services ( see instructions )? ......................
If your iling status is , Married filing joint return, continue with line 3. For any other iling status:
If you marked an X in the No box, stop; you do not qualify for this credit. If you marked an X in the Yes box, continue with Step 3.
3If your iling status is , Married filing joint return, was your spouse an active volunteer ireighter or ambulance worker for all of this tax year who did not receive a real property tax exemption for
these services ( see instructions )? ............................................................................................................
If you marked an X in the No box at both lines 2 and 3, stop: you do not qualify for this credit.
1.
2.
3.
Yes
No
Step 3 — Enter qualifying information (see instructions)
Name of qualifying volunteer
Volunteer ire company/department
or ambulance company
Address of volunteer ire company/department or
ambulance company
Step 4 — Determine credit amount
4If you marked the Yes box at either line 2 or line 3, but not both enter 200.
If you marked the Yes box at both lines 2 and 3, enter 400
4.
Enter the line 4 amount and code 354 on Form IT-201-ATT, line 12.
0
3541100094
Please file this original scannable form with the Tax Department.
IT-245 (2010) (back)
Instructions
General information
What is the volunteer firefighters’ and ambulance workers’ credit?
The volunteer ireighters’ and ambulance workers’ credit is available to full-year New York State residents who are active volunteer ireighters or volunteer ambulance workers for the entire tax year for which the credit is claimed.
You cannot claim the volunteer ireighters’ and ambulance workers’ credit if you receive a real property tax exemption that relates to your volunteer service under Real Property Tax Law (RPTL), Article 4, Title 2. However, if the property has multiple owners, the owner(s) whose volunteer service was not the basis of the exemption may be eligible to claim the credit.
If the credit exceeds your tax for the year, any excess will be refunded without interest.
Definitions
Active volunteer firefighter means a person who has been approved by the authorities in control of a duly organized New York State volunteer ire company or New York State volunteer ire department as an active volunteer ireighter of the ire company or department and who is faithfully and actually performing service in the protection of life and property from ire or other emergency, accident or calamity in connection with which the services of the ire company or ire department are required.
Volunteer ambulance worker means an active volunteer member of a New York State ambulance company as speciied on a
list regularly maintained by the company for purposes of the volunteer ambulance workers’ beneit law.
How do I claim the credit?
File Form IT-245 with your Form IT-201, Resident Income Tax Return. If your iling status is , Married filing separate return, and both you and your spouse qualify for the credit, each spouse must ile a separate Form IT-245 with Form IT-201.
Do not attach this form to your return unless you are claiming the credit.
Specific instructions
See the instructions for your tax return for the Privacy notification or if you need help contacting the Tax Department.
Step 2 — Determine eligibility
If your iling status is Single, Married filing separate return,
Head of household, or Qualifying widower, complete lines
1 and 2. If your iling status is Married filing joint return, complete lines 1, 2, and 3.
Line 2 — If you received a real property tax exemption under the RPTL that relates to your volunteer service, mark an X in the No box.
Line 3 — If your iling status is , Married filing joint return, and your spouse received a real property tax exemption under the RPTL that relates to his/her volunteer service, mark an X in the No box.
Step 3 — Enter qualifying information
If you are an active volunteer for both a ire company/department and an ambulance company, enter the qualifying information for either the ire company/department or the ambulance company. Do not enter the information for both.
3542100094
The New York IT-245 form is a tax form used to claim a credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. This credit is available to full-year residents of New York State who have actively served as volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers throughout the entire tax year. It’s important to note that if you receive a real property tax exemption related to your volunteer service, you cannot claim this credit.
To qualify for the credit, you must meet several criteria:
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for the credit.
To complete the IT-245 form, follow these steps:
Once completed, attach the IT-245 form to your Form IT-201, which is your Resident Income Tax Return.
If you are married and both you and your spouse qualify for the credit, you will need to file separate IT-245 forms. Each spouse should complete their own form and attach it to their respective Form IT-201.
The credit amount varies based on your eligibility. If either you or your spouse qualifies, you can claim a credit of $200. If both you and your spouse qualify, the credit increases to $400. This amount should be entered on your Form IT-201-ATT.
If the credit amount exceeds your tax liability for the year, any excess will be refunded to you. However, this refund will not accrue interest.
You must submit the original IT-245 form along with your Form IT-201 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Make sure not to attach the IT-245 unless you are claiming the credit.
Filling out the New York IT-245 form is a straightforward process. This form is essential for claiming the credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is completed correctly.
Filling out the New York IT-245 form can be straightforward, but mistakes often occur. One common error is failing to provide accurate identifying information. This includes your name, social security number, and your spouse's details if applicable. Incomplete or incorrect information can delay processing and may even lead to a denial of your claim.
Another mistake involves misunderstanding the eligibility requirements. Many individuals mark the wrong boxes in Step 2. For instance, if you or your spouse were not New York State residents for the entire tax year, you should stop there. Marking “Yes” when you should have marked “No” can lead to complications later in the process.
Additionally, some people overlook the requirement regarding real property tax exemptions. If you received a real property tax exemption for your volunteer services, you do not qualify for the credit. This can be confusing, especially for those who are active in both fire and ambulance services. Ensure you read the instructions carefully to avoid this pitfall.
Finally, many applicants fail to enter the correct credit amount in Step 4. If you marked “Yes” for both lines 2 and 3, you should enter 400. If you marked “Yes” for only one, then enter 200. Miscalculating this amount can result in a lower credit than you are entitled to, affecting your overall tax return.
Here are some important points to remember when filling out and using the New York IT-245 form:
Seaportal - The LS 552 form mandates New York State Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance proof for employers with employees in New York.
New York State Tax Forms - Public employee contributions can be identified and included, showcasing the form's attention to various income deductions.