Penn Hills establishes tax credit program for volunteer firefighters

Penn Hills leaders have officially established a volunteer service tax credit program.

During council’s monthly voting meeting July 21, members voted to unanimously adopt a program that provides a tax credit for residents volunteering with one of the municipality’s fire departments.

“We are the largest suburb in Allegheny County,” Mayor Pauline Calabrese said. “We’ve got over 40,000 residents and close to 30 neighborhoods.”

The township has six fire departments, all volunteer, that cover the nearly 20 square miles that make up Penn Hills and assist in mutual aid calls in surrounding communities.

Each active volunteer is eligible to receive a credit of up to $250 of the earned income tax levied by the municipality.

According to the ordinance, if a volunteer’s earned income tax liability is less than the amount of the tax credit, the credit will be equal the individual’s tax liability.

Volunteers injured while responding to calls also are eligible for the credit.

“This is one of the few things we can do to say thank-you,” Calabrese said. “These are volunteers. They’re putting their life on the line for our lives, our family’s lives and to protect property. Their families are also making that sacrifice.”

Calabrese encouraged community members to attend events hosted by the different departments. Each event is a fundraiser to maintain the departments’ equipment and stations.