DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Thousands of volunteer Iowa firefighters and emergency responders can claim a new $50 credit on their income taxes.  The Iowa Department of Revenue says volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel qualify for the credit starting in the 2013 tax year. Those tax filings are due in April.  Firefighters are eligible as long as they are active members of a department, and meet minimum training standards established by the state.

EMS workers are eligible if they are trained, certified and have a certificate from the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Legislative Services Agency says that up to 21,000 workers will be able to claim all or a portion of the credit, reducing state revenue by about $900,000 annually.

Gov. Terry Branstad signed the tax credit into law in 2012.