HB 393 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to increase annual tax limits for fire and ambulance services. It raises the maximum fire tax rate from 3 mills to 10 mills and ambulance tax from 0.5 mills to 5 mills, allowing townships to fund equipment, training, and emergency services. Townships can use up to half the revenue for staff salaries (with board approval) and must seek voter approval if rates exceed these new limits. This directly affects second-class townships needing to finance local fire and ambulance operations under the code.
HB 818 creates a program allowing first-time homebuyers in the Commonwealth to open state-backed savings accounts for down payments and closing costs. It establishes a dedicated First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund and requires the Treasury Department to manage the program and allocate funds. The bill directly affects eligible first-time homebuyers by providing a new savings mechanism for housing costs. Key provisions include the fund's creation, Treasury's administrative duties, and the structure for account access.
HB 820 creates Pennsylvania's "Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit," which provides a state tax credit equal to 30% of a taxpayer's federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the same year. This credit directly affects low-to-moderate income Pennsylvania residents who qualify for the federal EITC, applying it against their state tax bill. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
HB 411 adds a new supplemental annuity for eligible Pennsylvania state retirees, starting July 2025. It applies to retirees who retired before July 2, 2001, have specific service credit (excluding certain classifications), and are receiving monthly payments on July 1, 2025. The amount equals a percentage (ranging from 15% to 24.5%) of their July 2025 monthly annuity, based on their retirement date. The benefit is paid automatically unless retirees opt out, and the cost will be funded over 10 years starting July 2026. This bill does not apply to survivors or retirees with certain service types.
HB 325 amends Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to clarify how school districts must present tax relief information to property owners. It adds a definition of "conspicuous" requiring notices to use larger text, contrasting colors, or special formatting that a reasonable person would notice. The bill mandates that school districts include a specific, conspicuous notice with tax bills for homestead and farmstead property owners, explaining that their tax reduction comes from casino gaming revenue (State Gaming Fund) under state law, not from the school district's actions. This affects all Pennsylvania property owners eligible for homestead/farmstead exclusions and the school districts that issue their tax bills, effective for taxable years after December 31, 2025.
HB 1126 amends Pennsylvania's tax code to create two new provisions: (1) a tax deduction for fitness facilities that provide free or discounted memberships to active-duty military personnel, National Guard members, or reservists, limited to the regular membership fee and not reducing taxable income below zero; and (2) a personal health investment tax credit of up to $600 per year for eligible military members to cover qualified fitness expenses like gym memberships or exercise equipment. The deduction for facilities is only available if they did not claim the same expense for federal taxes. The credit applies to Pennsylvania resident individuals who qualify as active-duty military, National Guard, or reserve members under state definitions. These changes directly affect fitness businesses and military-affiliated taxpayers in Pennsylvania.
HB 1001 exempts compensation received from the Federal or State Government or Jet Rescue Air Ambulance (or its agent) related to the Med Jets Flight 056 crash (January 31, 2025, in Philadelphia) from Pennsylvania personal income tax. This bill directly affects individuals who received such payments due to the crash, making that compensation non-taxable under the state's tax code. The key provision adds a specific exception to the Tax Reform Code of 1971, removing this income from taxable categories. The exemption applies only to payments tied to this single, specific incident.
