The Chamber's Finance Committee gave a very warm welcome to the bill tabled by MR group leader Benoît Piedboeuf, which aims to raise the tax and social exemption ceiling applicable to allowances for volunteer firefighters and paramedics to €18,000 per year, the same amount applied to flexi-jobs.
Volunteer firefighters and paramedics make up nearly two-thirds of the workforce and ensure the safety of our fellow citizens every day, particularly where professional staffing is insufficient. Without volunteer firefighters, certain areas, especially in rural regions, would be unable to carry out their duties normally.
In order to better recognise this commitment and make volunteering in emergency service zones more attractive and sustainable, the bill tabled by MR group leader in the Chamber Benoit Piedboeuf and supported by federal MP Catherine Delcourt aims at a concrete and substantial revaluation. A series of additional opinions has been requested.
"The missions carried out by these men and women are invaluable. It was therefore natural and necessary that their commitment be recognised in proportion to the benefits they bring to our society. Back in 2019, my first bill already raised the tax allowance to €6,000. We now want to triple that effort! Their tax status will finally be aligned with that of other workers benefiting from flexi-jobs. This bill would also remove a great deal of administrative red tape and offer a simpler, more attractive framework. It is a clear signal to all those who commit themselves to the safety of our citizens."
In concrete terms, from the 2027 tax year, any allowance received by a volunteer (firefighter or paramedic) up to €18,000 per year would be exempt from tax and social contributions, thereby guaranteeing a coherent, simple and fair system for those working on the ground.
"This unanimous show of support in principle in committee is an encouraging first step and confirms the importance that MPs, across all groups, place on our volunteers. In this way, we intend to ensure the long-term sustainability of their commitment to serving the public," concludes Benoit Piedboeuf.
The opinions will be submitted to the Finance Committee in the coming weeks, allowing the proposal to be refined and finalised.