(Washington, DC) - Congressman Baron Hill introduced the Homefront Heroes Tax Relief Package today.  The bills are aimed at rewarding and encouraging folks here at home to continue, or begin, donating their time and resources to supporting our troops overseas.  This package of legislation specifically recognizes the individuals and groups who participate in the Department of Defense’s America Supports You program.

The first bill would provide a tax credit of up to $500 for individuals who send care packages, through the America Supports You program’s sanctioned organizations, to non-relative soldiers serving in combat zones.  Hill got the idea to craft such legislation from a constituent, Indiana University Kelley School of Business Professor Catherine Dalton, who emailed Hill about her participation in an America Supports You program.  “I know how important receiving a care package is to our troops,” Dalton said.  “It’s a little bit of human touch to them.  But, sending a care package overseas weekly can be very cost-prohibitive to folks who want to do this and also to military families.”

The second bill would grant tax incentives for volunteers who perform service activities for military families who have a soldier deployed overseas.  In order to receive the $500 maximum tax credit annually a volunteer would have to do at least 10 hours per week for four weeks in an America Supports You program accredited organization.  The tax credit is based on hourly service, and pegged to the minimum wage as set by Congress.

“The millions of Americans who volunteer to support our soldiers in the field deserve our utmost and sincere thanks,” Hill said.  “Particularly during this time of economic turmoil I think it is important to make sure we are helping those who are consistently volunteering their time and resources to boost the morale of our troops and their families.”