Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I,Ref-Schoharie) applauds the nation’s first-ever tax credit to employers who hire individuals in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The credit aims to encourage employment and provide a stable income source to those in recovery. $2 million has been allocated to the fund to subsidize employers who make these hires. Starting in 2020, eligible employers can receive up to $2,000 in tax credits for every eligible person they hire who has worked a minimum of 500 hours.

“I think this is a wonderful idea, giving a helping hand to those working against addiction and providing them a road to stable, healthy careers is something we should all be able to support,” Tague said. “This is great, we’re not just removing barriers to those in recovery but also helping to alleviate their financial need on a day-to-day basis. It gives opportunities for businesses to give back and strengthens all of our community’s ability to grow closer together.”

The program is administered by Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) alongside the Department of Taxation and Finance. Businesses seeking to apply must do so annually to OASAS to claim the credit for eligible individuals employed during the preceding calendar year at https://www.oasas.ny.gov/index.cfm. Applications for the first year of the program will be due by Jan. 15, 2021, for eligible individuals employed during the 2020 tax year.

If you know someone struggling with addiction and are seeking help, there is help available at https://www.oasas.ny.gov/accesshelp/. You’re not alone, people are here for you.