Rockaway, NY – Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway) announced on Thursday will soon be introducing a bill in the New York State Assembly that would make all commuting expenses tax deductible.

“Here in Rockaway, many of us travel out of the borough every day to earn a livelihood, essentially paying to go to work every day,” Pheffer Amato said. “Commuting to and from work is a significant expense, and many New Yorkers travel across multiple counties and boroughs on their daily commute. It’s only right that these fees for working are tax deductible, from paying a bridge toll to a monthly MetroCard.”

Commuting expenses include, but are not limited to, costs associated with the purchase and maintenance of MetroCards, commuter railroad passes, monthly bus passes, and EZ-passes. The average commute in New York State is 33 minutes, meaning that most residents either drive or take public transportation to their place of work.