Eligible Richland firefighters, EMS volunteers to receive $300 tax credit

Active volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in Richland once again will be able to receive a tax credit under Act 172, Pennsylvania’s volunteer service credit program.

Richland board authorized approval of Act 172 at their Dec. 20 meeting.

The program provides a financial incentive to active volunteers in fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies. Act 172 also seeks to encourage former volunteers to consider rejoining as active volunteers in such organizations.

The volunteer service credit program is available to residents of the municipality who are active volunteers of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department or Richland EMS. The program also applies to any volunteer fire company or nonprofit emergency medical services agency located outside of the township that has a mutual aid agreement with the Richland VFD or Richland EMS.

Each active volunteer who has been certified under Richland’s Volunteer Service Credit Program is eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $300 of the earned income tax levied by Richland Township. When an active volunteer’s earned income tax liability is less than the amount of the tax credit, the credit equals the individual’s liability.