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Rep. Rob Wittman is pushing for a federal tax credit to encourage teleworking. |
By KELLY HANNON
Rep. Rob Wittman, Virginia's 1st District congressman, has introduced a bill that would give public or private employees who telework at least 75 days a year a tax credit for some work-related expenses.
If the bill becomes law, a tax credit would be available for up to $1,000 for purchases workers made in connection to teleworking, such as buying work furnishings or electronic equipment needed to telework, according to Wittman's proposed legislation, the Telework Tax Incentive Act.
The bill is meant to be a companion effort to Wittman's attempt to compel more federal agencies to let eligible employees telework for the allowable 20 percent of their work hours every two weeks.
But part of the drive to expand telework must come from employees, Wittman said. Companies won't provide teleworking opportunities unless employees are asking for them, he said.
So for workers who feel lack of high-speed Internet access, work space, or computer equipment is a barrier, "this will give them the resources necessary at home," Wittman said.
On average, Americans spent the equivalent of 8.5 days on the road traveling to work each year, according to Wittman's proposed bill. That calculation is based on an average commuting time of 51 minutes round-trip. In the Washington area, where commutes are longer, workers could spend even more calendar days commuting.
Teleworking can reduce traffic for everyone, Wittman said.
"I think it has utility in a couple of different ways. Obviously in the Fredericksburg area it creates a great opportunity for us to get traffic off the roads and for us to create part of the solution to our transportation problem," he said.
Supporters also argue it helps productivity.
A study of teleworking U.S. Census Bureau employees found 73 percent said they accomplished more on telework days than days they were physically located in their regular office, a figure included in the bill.
As the bill is currently written, the tax credit could not be used to pay a user fee at a satellite telework center. There are several private telework facilities in the Fredericksburg area, and several government-run centers, all charging a daily fee for space and computer use.
Under Wittman's bill, workers could get a tax credit only for purchase of equipment or furnishings related to teleworking.
The 75-day qualifying threshold was chosen because it requires employees to make a regular commitment to telework, and elevates the commitment for businesses, Wittman said.
The congressman said he's received positive responses from other legislators.
"There's been quite a bit of interest," Wittman said. "I know that my colleagues that represent areas around large major metropolitan areas have been very interested."
The bill, HR 4348, has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com
