Montco Announces Up to 100% Property Tax Rebate for Firefighters and EMS

Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) workers in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania will receive a special tax rebate this year. Notably, county officials approved property tax rebates for firefighters and EMS personnel. The purpose of the tax rebate program is to recognize the work of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel and encourage others to take on their work.

Property Tax Rebates for Firefighters and EMS Employees: Who Can Receive?

On Thursday, the Montgomery County Commission approved property tax rebates for firefighters and EMS workers, officially called the Active Volunteer Tax Rebate Program. The program includes volunteer members of the fire department and qualified non-profit emergency medical services (EMS) agencies within the county.

“Our volunteer firefighters and EMS members risk their lives every day for our communities,” Jamila H. Winder, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners chair, said in a news release.

Under this program, eligible firefighters will receive a 25, 50, 75 or 100 percent rebate on their property taxes. The amount of the rebate depends on firefighters and EMS personnel’s participation in “emergency response calls, training, public education activities, leadership roles and other activities.”

Each activity mentioned above has specific points. For example, there are two points in responding to an emergency response call. Agency supervisors record the activities of each volunteer.

Firefighters who earn 50 points per year receive a 25% tax rebate. Anyone who scores 100 points will receive a 50% tax refund. Those who score 150 will receive a 75% tax refund. People with 200 points can receive a 100% rebate.

“This program provides Montgomery County’s approximately 3,000 active volunteers with a refund of up to 100% of their Montgomery County property taxes as a thank you for their service,” Winder said.

To receive property tax rebates for firefighters and EMS employees, you must be a member of a volunteer fire department or a recognized EMS agency during your eligibility period.

Active Volunteer Tax Refund Program: What Do You Need?

According to a press release, the purpose of the Active Volunteer Tax Refund Program is to “recognize the value and dedication of active EMS volunteers and encourage others to participate.”

The program also acknowledges the risks firefighters and EMS personnel take by providing rebates to those who are injured during an emergency response. Anyone who is injured while responding to, participating in, or returning to an emergency response call may receive a tax deduction for up to five consecutive years if they have documentation from a licensed physician.

In Pennsylvania, the number of volunteer firefighters has declined significantly over the past 30 years, from 360,000 in the 1970s to less than 37,000 today. So officials hope the property tax rebate will encourage others to enter similar occupations.

Those eligible for property tax rebates for firefighters and EMS personnel can apply for the program during the 2025 tax year for services provided from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.