Currently in Pennsylvania, state tax relief is extended to only the four uniformed services contained within the Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines), as well as to the US Coast Guard contained within the Department of Homeland Security. However, the uniformed services of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are excluded from this benefit. As a veteran, I understand the hard work and sacrifices of all uniformed armed forces members, and I believe they should be treated fairly and equally regarding income tax exemption.
 
My legislation would expand state tax relief to now include USPHS and NOAA members while they are on active duty (or active-duty orders) outside Pennsylvania. Both USPHA and NOAA serve vital roles for our nation’s health and well-being and have brave and honorable officers who routinely go “into harm’s way” in service to our country. For example, one Pennsylvania USPHA officer who lives in my district was deployed to Liberia to help coordinate the response to the Ebola outbreak. While there, he served alongside members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines who were responding to this public health crisis – but his income was taxable in Pennsylvania, while their income was not.

Please join me in including valuable USPHS and NOAA members alongside their uniformed comrades to exempt their income taxes while on active duty outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is just one of many ways we can show our appreciation for their sacrifices.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1314: P.L.6, No.2