At the August 13, 2024 Board of Supervisor’s meeting, the Volunteer Services Tax Relief Ordinance passed unanimously for the tax year beginning January 1, 2024.

Application and Documents

• Volunteer Services Tax Credit/Refund Application
• Important Dates/Details
• Click here for the full ordinance and criteria. – The ordinance contains very specific details and is a great source to follow.

Deadlines

January 15^th – Chief of both companies shall submit a notarized eligibility list to the Township Secretary and so note with the submission where the list is posted in their respective agency’s facilities. Lists shall not be accepted by the Township after January 15 of each year for the preceding year. List should include the following:

1. The chief shall annually transmit to the Township a notarized eligibility list of all volunteers that have met the minimum criteria for the program.
2. Taxpayer’s complete name, address, city, state, zip code, and the last four digits of their SSN. 
3. Specific records of each volunteer’s activities in a service log to establish credits under the program.
4. Executed Affirmation Notary Block – Under Oath – Swearing or affirming that the Eligibility List is correct and the information contained within the document is true and accurate.

March 1^st – Volunteers that have met the minimum criteria of the program shall sign and submit the Township’s application for certification to their chief. The chief shall sign the application if the volunteer has met the minimum criteria of the program and forward it to the Township Secretary. Applications shall not be accepted by the Township after March 1 of each year for the preceding year. **Please note the ordinance states the deadline is April 1st, but this is too close to the Federal Income Tax deadline and therefore staff’s internal policy is to submit by March 1st for the March BOS meeting and then stragglers will be in April. The Township is not liable for the lateness of your tax filing due to the April Board Meeting, which is the 2nd Tuesday of the month.** Applications shall include the following:

1. If the volunteer is seeking any refund against the real property tax on qualified real property, a true and correct stamped receipt or Certification from the Local real estate tax collector showing the paid Local real property taxes for the tax year in which the application is being filed.
2. Photocopy of applicants’ driver’s license
3. Documentation that the tax paid was for qualified real property as defined by the ordinance
4. Proof of volunteer service with Eligible Agency and if injured updated documentation from a licensed provider stating that the injury still exists and prevents them from qualifying as an active volunteer per section 212-71.I of the East Manchester Township Ordinances.