Public Safety Tax Services

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), W-2 employees — such as police officers and firefighters — can no longer deduct unreimbursed uniform expenses on their federal tax returns. Therefore, employees often pay out of pocket for gear without a tax break.

Polston Tax helps public safety companies resolve this issue by establishing accountable plans that allow a company to reimburse employees for uniforms and equipment tax-free. The reimbursement is fully deductible as a business expense for the company and excluded from the employee’s taxable income, resulting in a lower tax liability for everyone.

Polston Tax serves those who lend a hand when others need it most. Our team of tax preparers, accountants, and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) provide tax planning and filing services for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other first responders in public safety roles. 

We help public safety workers capitalize on opportunities unique to the field. From uniform maintenance and travel deductions to overtime and hazard pay, leveraging our perspective will help to determine and implement each public safety officer tax deduction IRS auditors will approve. 

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), W-2 employees — such as police officers and firefighters — can no longer deduct unreimbursed uniform expenses on their federal tax returns. Therefore, employees often pay out of pocket for gear without a tax break.

Polston Tax helps public safety companies resolve this issue by establishing accountable plans that allow a company to reimburse employees for uniforms and equipment tax-free. The reimbursement is fully deductible as a business expense for the company and excluded from the employee’s taxable income, resulting in a lower tax liability for everyone.