From Williamsburg to Prince William County, the First Congressional District was slammed by this past week's snow storms. The result left hundreds of thousands of federal and private sector workers stranded at home, and unable to reach the office. However, some of our neighbors were still able to get to work, and it wasn't because they had four wheel drive; rather it was their ability to telecommute. Teleworking is a reliable alternative when natural or man made disaster strikes.
Telecommuting offers flexibility for workers to accomplish their tasks from home. The National Science Foundation has reported that 77 million workers use a computer at work, accounting for 55.5% of the total U.S. workforce. This is a trend which will not slow anytime soon.
Already, companies and agencies are working to support their employees who choose to telework. A number of studies across the country have shown a marked expansion of teleworking, with 76% of private sector employers currently providing technical support for teleworkers. Additionally, as of 2007, the federal government provided technical support for 56% of their workforce.
To encourage more folks to work from home, I've introduced H.R. 4348 the Telework Tax Incentive Act. If passed and signed into law, the bill would provide eligible taxpayers with an annual tax credit up to $1,000 for qualified teleworking expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer that year. Specifically, those who perform services for an employer under a teleworking arrangement where the employee works at least 75 days per year would be eligible to receive the tax credit. The tax credit would be awarded for expenses such as furnishings and electronic information equipment which folks need in order to telework.
While this bill won't help you clear your driveway, it may help to keep your desktop clear the next time we have a major snowstorm. I look forward to continuing to encourage my colleagues to sign onto this bill and push for its passage in the months ahead.
As always if we can be of assistance or you would like to give us your thoughts about your government please feel free to contact us at 202-225-4261 or atwww.wittman.house.gov.
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
