Indianapolis – May 29, 2025. Due to an ongoing police shortage that an ideological war on law enforcement has propelled, officers are being called upon to work mandatory overtime hours to fill staffing gaps. Grueling work schedules can leave these men and women with little time to decompress, spend time with loved ones, and tend to personal matters. The result is lowered officer morale and an increase in instances of burnout. Some officers even leave the profession or retire early after concluding that the job is not worth the toll it has taken on them and their families. Law enforcement officers should be recognized for their sacrifices and provided with incentives to remain on the job. Allowing officers to keep their full overtime pay is a tangible way to demonstrate support and appreciation. The Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025 (H.R. 405), a federal bill introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01) in the U.S. House of Representatives, would accomplish this. The National Police Association (NPA) has endorsed this bill, which is currently in the Ways and Means Committee for deliberation. The bill’s text can be found here.
With the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, police officers as well as all other non-exempt employees who bank more than 40 hours per work week would no longer be required to pay federal income tax on their overtime pay. It is essentially a pay raise that would help relieve the burden on police families who are struggling financially, raising a family, or who would like to become homeowners. Since the federal government would still collect payroll taxes, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment benefits would remain intact.
“Police officers are tireless public servants who already make personal sacrifices to protect and serve. They shouldn’t be penalized financially for working overtime in service to their communities,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “Allowing officers to keep all of their overtime pay would help morale, aid in recruitment efforts, and incentivize veteran officers to stay on the job longer,” Fitzsimmons added.
The NPA commends Rep. Fulcher for introducing the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025, a bill designed to provide financial relief to police officers and all hard-working Americans by not taxing their overtime pay. At a time when police agencies are still struggling to hire and retain qualified officers, this Act would signal to law enforcement that the American public has their back. In honor of police officers and all workers who contribute to the greatness of our country, we urge members of Congress to support the Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2025.
About the National Police Association: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement efforts through advocacy, education, and law. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org.
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