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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Edward G. Staback |
  
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Staback: New tax credit serves volunteer first responders
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, announced today that a new state income tax credit is available for Pennsylvania volunteer emergency responders.
Staback supported legislation included in the 2008-09 state budget package that created the Volunteer Firefighter Tax Relief Law.
"Recruiting and keeping volunteers is always difficult, especially with the high risk and time demands that fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel face," Staback said. "I am hopeful this tax break will be an incentive to attract and sustain good volunteers."
Staback said he is urging all local volunteer responders to apply.
Under the tax credit program, more than 85,000 Pennsylvanian volunteer responders – including fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel – can earn up to a $100 state income tax credit based on their volunteer service in 2008. Tax credit applications will be available in January 2009, in time to file 2008 tax returns.
Tax credits will be awarded based on a point system developed by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the director of the state's Emergency Medical Services Bureau.
Volunteers must earn at least 50 points during 2008 to qualify for the tax credit. Points can be earned responding to emergencies, serving on sleep-in or standby duty, earning certifications, completing training courses and performing other activities defined by the point system.
To view the point system and other details about the tax credit, visit www.osfc.state.pa.us and click on "Volunteer Responder Retention and Recruitment Tax Credit." More information is also available by calling the State Fire Commissioner's Office at 1-800-670-3473.
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