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IAFF endorses Trump administration’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

The bill increases the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,400; it also creates a deduction for income taxes paid on OT earnings for individuals making under $160,000 per year

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General President Edward Kelly at the IAFF 57th Convention in August 2024.

International Association of Fire Fighters/Facebook.

WASHINGTON — The largest labor union representing firefighters in North America has officially endorsed key tax provisions in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which represents more than 350,000 members, praised the legislation and highlighted two major provisions: raising the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions and the creation of a temporary tax break for qualified overtime pay, according to the New York Post.

“Firefighters and emergency medical workers shouldn’t be penalized for choosing a career in public service,” IAFF General President Edward Kelly said. “President Trump respects the contributions lAFF members make to our country and recognizes the importance of ensuring these brave men and women can keep more of their hard-earned money.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed the House in May, includes tax cuts, border security funding, energy reforms and defense boosts. It would extend the 2017 tax cuts, eliminate federal income taxes on tips, raise the senior deduction by $4,000, and create a temporary above-the-line deduction for qualified overtime pay from 2025 through 2028. This deduction would be available to workers earning below the IRS threshold for highly compensated employees (about $160,000 for individuals). Overtime earnings would still be subject to FICA payroll taxes.

The SALT deduction cap would rise from $10,000 to $40,400, phasing out for incomes over $500,000 — a change the IAFF says will help members in high-cost areas keep more of their earnings.

“These common-sense tax proposals from President Trump improve our members’ quality of life and allow them to focus on what matters most: keeping their communities safe,” Kelly said.

The bill is now up for consideration in the Senate.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.