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Pennsylvania Bill Establishes $2,000 Stillbirth Tax Credit for Taxpayers

Original title: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; and providing for stillbirth tax credit.

Last action · March 11, 2025: Referred to FINANCE, March 11, 2025Sponsors: Pat Harkins and 6 others

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Pennsylvania House Bill 867 establishes a $2,000 state tax credit for taxpayers who experience a , effective in 60 days. The credit applies against state tax liability for the taxable year in which the stillbirth occurred, provided the child would have qualified as a federal tax dependent. Any credit amount exceeding the taxpayer's liability will be refunded by the Department of Revenue.

Why it matters

Qualifying parents can reduce their state tax liability or receive a direct refund of $2,000 per occurrence, provided they submit required documentation including a certificate of fetal death or birth resulting in stillbirth.

Background
  • The Tax Reform Code of 1971 is the primary statute governing state taxation and tax administration in Pennsylvania. context
  • House Bill 867 was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during the 2025-2026 legislative session. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Taxpayers who experience a stillbirth

Eligible taxpayers can claim a $2,000 tax credit and receive refunds for excess amounts against their state tax liability.

Directly affected

Department of Revenue

The department must process applications, issue guidelines, administer refunds for excess credits, and recover improperly claimed funds.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the stillbirth tax credit?
Eligible taxpayers may claim a tax credit of $2,000 for each .
What documentation is required to apply for the credit?
Applicants must submit their name, Social Security number, and a copy of the certificate of fetal death or certificate of birth resulting in issued by the Department of Health.
What happens if the credit is larger than my state tax bill?
If the tax credit amount exceeds the individual's State tax liability, the Department of Revenue will refund the excess to the individual.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action
  1. Mar 11, 2025HouseCommittee
    Referred to FINANCE, March 11, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Introduction of Stillbirth Tax Relief

The bill creates a specific tax credit article within the Tax Reform Code of 1971 targeted at providing financial support via tax credits and refunds for stillbirths.

Connected Entities

Department of Revenue, Department of Health
OrganizationDepartment of Revenue“Administers the tax credit application, guidelines, and refunds.”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Health“Issues the certificate of fetal death or certificate of birth resulting in still”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.palegis.us

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance55
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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