Tillis moves to cut costs for National Guard, reservists traveling to drills

Madeline Gray—North State Journal
(L to R) Senator Thom Tillis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced legislation this week that would help servicemembers deduct more of their travel expenses when driving to complete required drills and duty training. Typically, members of the National Guard pay for travel out of their own pocket. They can only claim mileage and other travel expenses on their taxes if go more than 100 miles from their residence for training, or if the expenses are more than two percent of a soldier’s adjusted gross income. The Savings for Servicemembers Act would reduce the travel minimum for a deduction to 50 miles, just like other federal employees.”12,000 citizen soldiers fill the ranks of the North Carolina Army and Air National Guard,” Tillis said. “This legislation helps level the playing field and removes a fundamental unfairness from the system.”Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is co-sponsoring the legislation.