Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

March 19, 2026

New Tax Credit to Help Working Pennsylvanians 

As mid-April is upon us and with tax season in full swing, I want to make certain you are aware of a new tax credit approved last year.

While the 2025-26 state budget was being discussed, a program was included to help Pennsylvania families.

Called the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit, or the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, the new program is designed to provide additional relief to working households that often earn above traditional assistance thresholds but still struggle to cover essential expenses.

The ALICE Tax Credit is tied directly to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a long-established program that supports low- to moderate-income workers. Essentially, if you qualify for the federal program, you will qualify for Pennsylvania’s ALICE program as well.

In fact, the EITC program was improved in the federal tax code with the passage of H. R. 1, commonly known as One Big Beautiful Bill. The improvements include stronger oversight to verify the program isn’t used fraudulently. 

Under the new state initiative, eligible Pennsylvanians will receive a credit equal to 10% of their federal EITC amount. Because the credit is linked to the federal calculation, the value automatically adjusts to a taxpayer’s income and filing status.

According to the federal EITC criteria, income limits vary depending on family size, and claimants must earn wages or self-employment income to qualify. Families with dependents typically receive a larger EITC than single individuals without children. The same is expected with the state credit.

The federal EITC program is often credited for being one of the most effective antipoverty policies in the United States for helping lift 6 million over the poverty threshold each year.

I happily supported adding it here in the Commonwealth, as I believe Pennsylvania taxpayers should keep as much of their earned income as possible. When families have more, they are likely to spend more at our local businesses. As a result, the program is expected to generate more than $560 million annually in local commerce.

More information about the program and an online tax credit calculator can be found at pa.gov. 

Now is also the perfect time to remind you to be on the lookout for tax-related scams.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers to be aware of IRS impersonators. The IRS will never contact you using social media or text message. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail. 

If contacted, be certain to look for these warning signs:

•  A big payday – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bad tax advice on social media may convince you to lie on tax forms or mislead you about credits you can claim.
•  Demands or threats – Impersonators want you to pay “now or else.” They threaten arrest or deportation. They don’t let you question or appeal the amount of tax you owe. 
•  Website links – Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Your Opinion Counts - Concern continues to rise from parents and educators that students’ use of cell phones has become a serious distraction from learning. Different approaches to address the issue have been discussed in the General Assembly and I have created a survey for those 18 years of age or older to weigh in. You can find the survey on my website, RepJillCooper.com. 

High School Students Can Jumpstart Their Next Move - My staff and I are hosting Junior Jumpstart, a financial aid seminar with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to help next year’s high school seniors begin navigating the world of college financing. Current seniors who have questions are certainly invited as well. The event is on Monday, March 30, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, 705 Stevenson Blvd., New Kensington. Registration by March 25 is suggested but not required. Contact Robin Savage at 724-387-9113 or via email at rsavage@pahousegop.com.

Grants Workshop Available - Calling all local governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations! My upcoming Grants 101 Workshop is available to help you with the basics of grant writing. Guest speakers include officials from state offices and organizations, including the Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub. Join me on Wednesday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Delmont Fire Hall, 2360 State Route 66 in Delmont. Register by contacting Robin Savage at 724-387-9113 or by emailing rsavage@pahousegop.com.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com