Dinniman Bill to help Firefighter Relief Assocs now Law

WEST CHESTER – State Senator Andy Dinniman announced Aug. 17, 2012, that his legislative language providing permanent tax-exempt status to firefighter relief associations is now Pennsylvania law.

Dinniman’s legislation, part of the budget approved by Governor Corbett last month, helps to ensure that firefighter relief associations, which provide benefits to volunteer firefighters and their families, are permanently exempt from having to pay Pennsylvania sales and use taxes on tangible property and services.

“Our relief associations make it possible for residents to volunteer with ambulance and fire companies. They are busy enough making sure local emergency responders and their families get the support they deserve, “Dinnimian said. “This new law will make their operations easier and relieve them of onerous paperwork.”

In the past these associations had to apply for their tax-exempt status every year. Filling out the associated paperwork often posed a challenge for the approximately 2,000 fire relief organizations statewide due to their limited manpower and resources and caused the auditor general’s office to reluctantly note these deficiencies in their audits year after year.

Senator Dinniman introduced legislation to correct this in February 2012 with Senate Bill 639. The bill was brought forth with support from Auditor General Jack Wagner as well as 15 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.

For more information contact Senator Dinniman’s District Office at (610) 692-2112, or e-mail mindars@pasenate.com.