Volunteer Service Tax Credit Program

Purpose

Volunteer firefighters are the primary providers of fire protection service in the Borough of Steelton. The responsibilities of volunteer firefighters have expanded over the years to include rescue, hazardous materials response, and terrorism prevention, which has significantly increased the training needed by these volunteers.

Due to increased training obligations and other factors, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dramatically decreased in recent years, from an estimated 300,000 in 1976 to about 72,000 at present day.

Act 172 of 2016 (35 P.S. §79A01 et seq.) allows the Borough of Steelton to adopt earned income and real property tax credits for the volunteer firefighters who serve the Steelton community.

By supporting Steelton volunteer firefighters, the Borough of Steelton can help to sustain and strengthen the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department and therefor promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the Borough.

Tax Credits

Earned Income Tax Credit

Each active volunteer who has been certified under the Steelton Borough Volunteer Service Credit Program shall be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) of the Earned Income Tax levied by the Borough of Steelton. When an active volunteer’s earned income tax liability is less than the amount of the tax credit, the tax credit shall equal the individual’s tax liability.

Real Property Tax Credit.

Each volunteer who has been certified under the Borough of Steelton Volunteer Service Credit Program shall be eligible to receive a real property tax credit of twenty (20%) percent of the municipal tax liability on qualified real property not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). 

Additional Information

For additional information about this Tax Credit program, please contact the Steelton Fire Department at 717-939-2478 or any of the Fire, EMS, And EMA Committee members.