Posted: | August 3, 2017 10:47 AM |
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From: | Representative Patrick J. Harkins |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | State Income Tax Credit for Parent(s) who Experience a Stillbirth |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would provide a state income tax credit to parent(s) who experience a stillbirth. In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 1000 stillbirths each year. Experiencing a stillbirth is a traumatic event for any person or family. A healthy pregnancy puts a heavy emotional and physical toll on the mother; a pregnancy ending in stillbirth is devastating. I want to offer some relief, financially, to people who endure this tragedy. This bill will provide a tax credit in the amount of $2,000 for parent(s) whose pregnancy results in a stillbirth. My hope is that this tax credit can help offset the considerable financial costs for funeral services, grief counseling, medical expenses and related expenses incurred preparing for the birth of a child. The tax credit would be available to the parent(s) for any birth which a certificate of fetal death or certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth has been issued by the Department of Health, provided the child would have been a dependent of the parent(s). The tax credit would be applicable to the taxable year in which the stillbirth occurred. The Commonwealth offers a myriad of tax credits for various reasons. I think this tax credit is a worthy addition. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1873