Shaler expands tax credit for fire volunteers to include retirees

Shaler Commissioners are expanding the township’s tax assistance for fire volunteers by offering a property tax credit to department retirees and others who qualify.

Manager Tim Rogers said the township currently offers firefighters a $300 earned income tax (EIT) credit but wanted to extend a hand to fire volunteers that don’t meet the minimum income requirement for the EIT aid.

“There are retirees and younger people that don’t have that income, yet they still serve our fire departments, and commissioners want to recognize that,” Rogers said.

The new policy would give qualifying volunteers a 20% real estate tax credit. Participants have to volunteer 25 hours of service at one of the township’s six fire departments to be eligible.

The township’s current property tax rate is 3.49 mills, meaning the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 pays $349 to the township. A volunteer who qualifies for the volunteer property tax credit would pay about $70 less on the same bill.

The board approved the policy during its Dec. 8 meeting but will hear public input during the Jan. 12 meeting.

Rogers said all of the currently eligible firefighters take advantage of the EIT credit, and he expects the property tax credit would affect up to 40 additional volunteers.

“Commissioners recognize their service and want to help the people that help our community,” he said.

The earned income tax credit must be applied for each year. Fire chiefs are responsible for compiling a list of all volunteers who qualify.

Requirements include 50 hours of service a year and being a member in good standing.

Similarly, McCandless councilperson Carolyn Schweiger earlier this week suggested looking into a tax credit for retirees who belong to the fire company but do not have an income from earnings. Council President Kim Zachary said it’s something council could review in the future.

McCandless approved a list of residents belonging to its three volunteer fire departments who are eligible to receive a $500 credit next year on the earned income tax they pay to the town.

Members also are considering extending the program to emergency personnel who live in McCandless but volunteer with fire departments outside the town.