Dinniman: Tax Credit Applications Now Available for Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2009

CONTACT: JON EWALD                
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
jewald@pasenate.com

WEST CHESTER (January 15) – State Senator Andy Dinniman announced today that volunteer firefighters and emergency first responders can now obtain applications for a $100 tax credit on their state income taxes.

“Volunteer firefighters and emergency first responders put their lives in danger each day to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. This tax credit is not only a small token of our appreciation but also an important first step in attracting and retaining emergency services volunteers,” Dinniman said.

The tax credit comes thanks to Act 66 of 2008, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law last July. The law establishes a pilot program granting active volunteers a maximum $100 state income tax credit for service during the 2008 tax year. If the entire credit cannot be used on a volunteer's 2008 income tax return, it can be carried over for up to three years until the tax credit has been exhausted.

Active status for eligibility is determined by a point system jointly developed by the state Fire Commissioner and the state Health Department’s Director of Emergency Medical Services. Responders can accumulate points by obtaining certifications, attending organizational meetings, participating in drills and training exercises, holding elected or appointed positions, answering calls, manning standby and sleep-in times and taking on other maintenance, administrative and support activities.

For more information on the point system click here.

Volunteers must have earned a total of 50 points between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 to be eligible for the state income tax credit. They also must have their primary volunteer company's president or chief certify the points by signing the application provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

Applications are now available at Senator Dinniman’s District Office at One North Church St. in West Chester. Applications are also be available online here.

Applications should be included with individual state income tax returns. The deadline to file state personal income tax returns for tax year 2008 is April 15, 2009.

“The state budget was especially tight this year, with cuts across the board and the initiation of only a select few new programs. It is a testament to the hard work of our volunteer first responders and the need for more incentives to attract them that we succeeded in enacting this tax credit,” Dinniman said.

Statistics show a declining number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania. A special Senate committee found that from 1985 to 2004, the number of volunteer firefighters in the Commonwealth decreased from 152,000 to fewer than 70,000. In addition, the same 2004 study estimated that state taxpayers would have to pay at least $6 billion a year to replace their volunteer firefighters with paid firefighters.

“Clearly, we must take steps to strengthen and reinvigorate our volunteer fire companies to avoid higher taxes. Giving tax credits to volunteers is a lot more economical than hiring paid employees,” Dinniman said.

For more information, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail jewald@pasenate.com.

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