Working to Help Pennsylvania's Military Service Members

A column by Senator Pat Browne

The state of Pennsylvania has a proud tradition of brave men and women selflessly sacrificing to defend our Freedom and protect our Independence.

From the First Defenders of Pennsylvania Regimental History – the Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading, Logan Guards of Lewistown, Washington Artillery of Pottsville, National Light Infantry of Pottsville and Allen Guards of Allentown - who took up arms on April 18, 1861 during the Civil War to the brave men and women serving in the Pennsylvania National Reserves today at posts around the world, the citizens of Pennsylvania have always answered the call to duty.

Now, we have an opportunity and an obligation to answer the calls for assistance of service men and women, both past and present, serving to protect us both at home and abroad.

As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I am pleased to report that the Committee recently considered and approved four bills that would provide tax code changes to assist our fellow Pennsylvanians who are serving in the military and reward employers who hire members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Our soldiers, sailors and Marines serving in the Persian Gulf have enough to worry about in performing their duties without having to be concerned about when they have to pay taxes and that is why Senate Bill 143 and Senate Bill 172 received strong support from my Committee. Senate Bill 143 would exempt military personnel on active duty outside the Commonwealth from occupational assessment, per capita, poll or other similar taxes. Senate Bill 172 would extend the legal deadline for the filing of any tax return for active duty military personnel and their spouses, as well as civilians serving in the Persian Gulf area, until 180 days after the date they return to the United States.

We also recognize that a number of Pennsylvanians have made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict in Iraq and unrest in Afghanistan and their surviving families deserve to be helped during their time of grief.

One way we can help those families is through the passage of Senate Bill 188, which would exempt the surviving spouse of a service member who is killed or missing in action from paying real estate taxes, provided that the State Veterans' Commission determines that the spouse needs an exemption.

We also know that employers make sacrifices when they hire Pennsylvanians serving in the National Guard and Reserves. Their employees need to be away for routine drills and even longer if deployed on active duty. In appreciation of those employers, the Committee approved Senate Bill 330.

Under this bill, employers would receive a $1,000 tax credit for every employee who is a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or reserves. This tax credit applies to new hires or re-enlisting employees. The tax credit could be used toward the employer's personal income tax, corporate net income tax or capital stock and franchise tax and could be carried forward for a period of three years.

These pieces of legislation will help Pennsylvanians in uniform as well as their families. I hope the full Senate and the House of Representatives will concur and provide these important benefits to those serving and to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468