Day Amendments Encourage Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credits
Legislation allowing municipalities to provide volunteer firefighters with a tax credit to decrease the local earned income tax they pay was successfully amended by Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), who offered language enabling counties and school districts to consider a property tax credit option for volunteer firefighters.
“My amendments give school districts and counties the option to recognize volunteer firefighters for their service to local residents,” said Day. “Allowing credits against property taxes or earned income taxes would act as an incentive to encourage more volunteers to join local fire companies, and enhance public safety. I want to emphasize that these tax credits are not mandated, but could be awarded at the discretion of counties, municipalities or school districts.”
To be eligible, volunteer firefighters would have to comply with conditions established by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. With Day’s amendments, the bill gives county commissioners, city or borough councilpersons, township commissioners and school board directors the ability to recognize these qualified volunteers.
House Bill 250 would create a Volunteer Fire Service Credit Program, specifying the level of training and drills, number of emergency calls each volunteer responds to, the amount of time spent on administrative or fundraising work, and other events and projects.
“Volunteer firefighters save Pennsylvanians millions of dollars each year with their service. This program would also serve as a small incentive for continued service,” said Day.
The Day amendments were approved with bipartisan support. Once the bill, as amended, passes the House, it will be sent to the Senate for consideration. The bill would take effect in 60 days.
Rep. Gary Day
187th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 787-3017
(610) 760-7082
Contact: Todd Abele
tabele@pahousegop.com
(717) 783-3957