Do Santa's helpers need an incentive? State rep. proposes tax break to help recruit Santas
Shuffling countless children on and off his lap, smiling in photos with screaming babies and listening to endless lists of toy requests could come with a tax break for all the faux Santas in Pennsylvania if a state legislator has his way.
State Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-111th, is proposing a modest tax credit for those portraying Santa Claus due to a labor shortage in the occupation.
Fritz cited a Wall Street Journal article that reported the currently tight labor market includes those portraying the Jolly Old Elf, who are charging more and dealing with packed schedules this holiday season.
“Santas help create lifeling memories — from photos with children, riding by on a fire truck during a parade, or leading a gift exchange at a work party — and they are an indispensable holiday tradition for many Pennsylvanians,” Fritz said in a memo to his fellow House members.
He said one estimate has demand for Santas increasing 121% this year, while the availablity has dropped 10%.
Fritz said Santas are “on the front lines of holiday merriment,” which is sorely needed this year for the mental health and general well-being of all Pennsylvanians.
“As such, in the near future, I intend on introducing legislation to provide a modest tax credit for those hiring Santas or Santas working on their own to help offset Santa-related costs,” Fritz said. “This would incentivize Pennsylvanians to take on the role of Santa, or for companies and organizations to find Santas by reducing Santa-related costs.”
Fritz asked House members to co-sponsor legislation to give Kris Kringle a break.Santas sound offTom Harrison, who has played Santa around the county since his first gig in 2013 at the Clearview Mall, chuckled merrily upon hearing about Fritz's efforts.Harrison said he has not seen an increased demand for his seasonal services this year.“It's about the same clientele as I've been seeing for five or six years,” Harrison said.Harrison has cut back his Santa duties because he's working part-time as a pastoral associate at First United Methodist Church in Butler as well as pursuing his masters degree in divinity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.“I answer to a higher authority now,” Harrison said.While he has taken on 25 to 30 visits in Christmases past, he will only don the suit about 10 times this year.But when he takes on his jolly alter ego, it is difficult for Harrison to squander the feeling.“When I put on the suit, I may just drop by a few households,” he said.Melissa Bitzer, a Middlesex Volunteer Fire Company board member, is planning a Breakfast With Santa to be held this Saturday at the firehall.She has not seen any difficulty in finding a Santa, as one of the firemen will slip into the heavy black boots and white gloves.“He is just the perfect gentleman,” Bitzer said of the unnamed firefighter. “He's so good with kids.”She admitted he doesn't fit the traditional Santa proportions exactly.“He will have to stuff a little,” Bitzer said.Tiffany Keffalas, owner of Keffalas Designs on Route 8 in Penn Township, has planned many events at her shop that include a visit by the merry sleigh pilot.“We have a pretty close connection to our Santa,” Keffalas said.She said 2021 is her Santa's first year at Keffalas Designs.“We think our Santa is extra magical because he just puts the Christmas spirit into the community,” Keffalas said. “He likes to speak one-on-one with each child, including giving little gifts to each kid who stops by the shop.”Santa will be at Keffalas Designs for events to be held this weekend, next weekend and on Christmas Eve.“It's extra special for us because we know Santa on a personal level,” she said.It is not yet known if Fritz has garnered any co-sponsors for his proposed legislation.
