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Legislative Update - Week Ending Feb. 17, 2023
In this issue: Pa. House Lawmakers Return to Harrisburg; Pennsylvania e-TIDES System Shuts Down Feb. 24; PICPA State Budget Proposal Webcast; and more.
by PICPA Government Relations
Feb 17, 2023, 10:51 AM
- Pa. House Lawmakers Set to Return to Harrisburg
- Reminder: e-TIDES to Shut Down Feb. 24
- PICPA Legislative Update – State Budget Proposal Webcast
- Philadelphia Revenue Department Tax Filing Reminders
- Connors Named Deputy Secretary for Compliance and Collections
- State House Panel Holds Tax Policy Reform Roundtable
- Pa. Taxpayers Can Exclude Certain 2022 State Payments, Says IRS
Pa. House Lawmakers Set to Return to Harrisburg
Pennsylvania House lawmakers will return to session on Feb. 21. It has been more than a month since the House has been in session. The chamber has been gridlocked since January when Democrat and Republican leaders went to battle over control of the body.
Democrats briefly held a 102-seat majority after the November election, but control of the House was temporarily thwarted by a series of events, including the death of an incumbent and two resignations because seat holders had been elected to higher offices.
Democrats Joe McAndrew, Abigail Salisbury, and Matthew Gergely – all winners of special House seat elections on Feb. 7 – will be sworn in the week of Feb. 20, giving Democrats a 102-101 majority, the caucus’s first in over a decade.
The first order of business – before any legislation can be considered by the body – will be to adopt operating rules. Without rules, the House has no committee structure and no ability to consider legislation. Because of the stalemate, no legislation has been formally introduced in the House.
The Senate returns to session Feb. 27.
Reminder: e-TIDES to Shut Down Feb. 24
Business taxpayers are strongly encouraged to sign up now for an account on myPATH if they have not already done so. MyPATH is the new Department of Revenue (DOR) online system that handles the registration, filing, and payment obligations for Pennsylvania taxes.
The DOR is retiring e-TIDES, the prior online filing system for business taxpayers, on Feb. 24. That means taxpayers will no longer be able to use e-TIDES to file returns and make payments after that date. They will need to use myPATH to handle their tax obligations.
The process to sign up for an account is simple and includes an option to migrate your e-TIDES account information into myPATH. A Migrating e-TIDES Access instructional video provides a tutorial on how to do this. The DOR has a number of other instructional videos pertaining to myPATH on its myPATH Video Tutorials page.
If you need assistance, the DOR encourages taxpayers to first refer to several self-service options:
- myPATH Information page
- PATHfinder, the online pop-up chatbot on the myPATH webpage
- Online Customer Service Center (Contains answers to hundreds of common tax questions and can be used to securely submit a question)
If you are in need of further assistance, you can contact the DOR by email at myPATH@pa.gov or by phone at (717) 425-2495, extension 72841. The department has made more of its employees accessible to assist with the transition to myPATH.
PICPA Legislative Update – State Budget Proposal Webcast
The 2023-2024 legislative session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly – with 60 new members – is officially underway. After some initial struggles, lawmakers are getting down to work.
Join Peter Calcara, PICPA’s vice president of government relations, on March 21 for his quarterly Legislative Update Webcast. In the upcoming program, he will discuss the new legislative session, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal covering the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and PICPA’s advocacy agenda.
Philadelphia Revenue Department Tax Filing Reminders
With tax season already in full swing, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue has a few reminders for taxpayers and tax practitioners in addition to the notice that this year’s tax filing due date is April 18.
Go to the Philadelphia Tax Center to file and pay Philadelphia’s business income and receipts tax (BIRT), net profits tax (NPT), earnings tax, and school income tax (SIT). You can pay taxes on this website without creating a username and password, but you must be logged in to file taxes. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue strongly encourages you to file online to avoid processing delays. If you prefer filing paper returns, the 2022 BIRT, SIT, Earnings Tax, and NPT paper forms are available online.
Philadelphia is extending an important nonresident wage tax refund form for tax year 2022: the COVID-EZ form. While a paper version of this form is on its website, an electronic form soon will be available on the Philadelphia Tax Center. Please note the following:
The COVID-EZ form is only for nonresidents required to work from home during the pandemic. You cannot use this form for overtime, travel, business expenses, or stock options. Instead, use the long wage tax petition form to capture all these, which can be found via the “Request Wage Tax refund” link under the “Refunds” panel at the Philadelphia Tax Center.
The city’s Bulk Requestor process for tax year 2022 isn’t available yet. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue will update its LinkedIn page and website when the forms are available. While unavailable, nonresident employees are encouraged to use the Philadelphia Tax Center to request a 2022 wage tax refund.
Eligible Philadelphia employees or workers can complete a 2022 income-based wage tax petition electronically. You can access the forms directly from the Philadelphia Tax Center homepage.
Each year, to ensure that electronic tax forms recreated by tax preparers are compatible with its processing system, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue provides specific tax design guidelines. If you recreate its digital forms, you must comply with specific guidelines before replicating Philadelphia tax return forms. Starting in tax year 2022, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue requires you to complete testing and be approved before submitting substitute tax forms to the city. To request additional information about this process, contact taxformtesting@phila.gov.
Connors Named Deputy Secretary for Compliance and Collections
Stacey Connors has been named deputy secretary for compliance and collections at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. She replaces Dale Simpson, who is now special advisor to the executive deputy secretary. Connors had been chief counsel to former state Sen. Pat Browne, who is now acting revenue secretary.
The deputy secretary for compliance and collections is responsible for directing department operations to enforce compliance with the state’s tax laws. The deputy secretary plans, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates the compliance and collection functions of the department and is responsible for coordination and cooperation with law enforcement agencies at the state, federal, and local levels. Connors will oversee the Customer Experience Center, the Bureau of Compliance, and the Bureau of Desk Review and Analysis.
The PICPA congratulates Stacey Connors and looks forward to working with her.
State House Panel Holds Tax Policy Reform Roundtable
Republican members of the state House Appropriations Committee, led by Seth Grove (R-York), convened a roundtable discussion on tax policy reforms. Representatives from the Tax Foundation, Americans for Prosperity Pennsylvania, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Commonwealth Foundation presented testimony.
A common theme that emerged from the speakers was concern over Pennsylvania’s shrinking labor pool, aging population, and uncompetitive tax policies.
According to the Tax Foundation’s testimony, 116,000 workers left Pennsylvania’s labor force in the past three years, and not all have been replaced. There are 60,500 fewer people employed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
Americans for Prosperity Pennsylvania urged lawmakers to eliminate corporate giveaways and to also consider consolidating taxing authorities. Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 local taxing jurisdictions, the group noted.
Pew Charitable Trusts emphasized the need for good practices to maintain the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The fund is at an all-time high of $5 billion, and the group suggests that Pennsylvania regularly dedicate collections from revenue peaks and one-time sources.
Pa. Taxpayers Can Exclude Certain 2022 State Payments, Says IRS
The IRS has determined that taxpayers in 21 states, including Pennsylvania, do not need to report special payments on their 2022 tax returns. The IRS determined it will not challenge the taxability of payments related to general welfare and disaster relief.
Questions arose regarding special tax refunds or payments made by certain states related to the pandemic and its associated consequences in 2022. A variety of state programs distributed these payments in 2022, and the rules surrounding their treatment for federal income tax purposes are complex. In general, payments made by states are includable in income for federal tax purposes, but there are exceptions that would apply to many of the payments made by states in 2022.
To assist taxpayers who have received these payments file their returns in a timely fashion, the IRS has provided additional information.
Legislative Update - Week Ending Feb. 17, 2023
In this issue: Pa. House Lawmakers Return to Harrisburg; Pennsylvania e-TIDES System Shuts Down Feb. 24; PICPA State Budget Proposal Webcast; and more.
by PICPA Government Relations
Feb 17, 2023, 10:51 AM
- Pa. House Lawmakers Set to Return to Harrisburg
- Reminder: e-TIDES to Shut Down Feb. 24
- PICPA Legislative Update – State Budget Proposal Webcast
- Philadelphia Revenue Department Tax Filing Reminders
- Connors Named Deputy Secretary for Compliance and Collections
- State House Panel Holds Tax Policy Reform Roundtable
- Pa. Taxpayers Can Exclude Certain 2022 State Payments, Says IRS
Pa. House Lawmakers Set to Return to Harrisburg
Pennsylvania House lawmakers will return to session on Feb. 21. It has been more than a month since the House has been in session. The chamber has been gridlocked since January when Democrat and Republican leaders went to battle over control of the body.
Democrats briefly held a 102-seat majority after the November election, but control of the House was temporarily thwarted by a series of events, including the death of an incumbent and two resignations because seat holders had been elected to higher offices.
Democrats Joe McAndrew, Abigail Salisbury, and Matthew Gergely – all winners of special House seat elections on Feb. 7 – will be sworn in the week of Feb. 20, giving Democrats a 102-101 majority, the caucus’s first in over a decade.
The first order of business – before any legislation can be considered by the body – will be to adopt operating rules. Without rules, the House has no committee structure and no ability to consider legislation. Because of the stalemate, no legislation has been formally introduced in the House.
The Senate returns to session Feb. 27.
Reminder: e-TIDES to Shut Down Feb. 24
Business taxpayers are strongly encouraged to sign up now for an account on myPATH if they have not already done so. MyPATH is the new Department of Revenue (DOR) online system that handles the registration, filing, and payment obligations for Pennsylvania taxes.
The DOR is retiring e-TIDES, the prior online filing system for business taxpayers, on Feb. 24. That means taxpayers will no longer be able to use e-TIDES to file returns and make payments after that date. They will need to use myPATH to handle their tax obligations.
The process to sign up for an account is simple and includes an option to migrate your e-TIDES account information into myPATH. A Migrating e-TIDES Access instructional video provides a tutorial on how to do this. The DOR has a number of other instructional videos pertaining to myPATH on its myPATH Video Tutorials page.
If you need assistance, the DOR encourages taxpayers to first refer to several self-service options:
- myPATH Information page
- PATHfinder, the online pop-up chatbot on the myPATH webpage
- Online Customer Service Center (Contains answers to hundreds of common tax questions and can be used to securely submit a question)
If you are in need of further assistance, you can contact the DOR by email at myPATH@pa.gov or by phone at (717) 425-2495, extension 72841. The department has made more of its employees accessible to assist with the transition to myPATH.
PICPA Legislative Update – State Budget Proposal Webcast
The 2023-2024 legislative session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly – with 60 new members – is officially underway. After some initial struggles, lawmakers are getting down to work.
Join Peter Calcara, PICPA’s vice president of government relations, on March 21 for his quarterly Legislative Update Webcast. In the upcoming program, he will discuss the new legislative session, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal covering the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and PICPA’s advocacy agenda.
Philadelphia Revenue Department Tax Filing Reminders
With tax season already in full swing, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue has a few reminders for taxpayers and tax practitioners in addition to the notice that this year’s tax filing due date is April 18.
Go to the Philadelphia Tax Center to file and pay Philadelphia’s business income and receipts tax (BIRT), net profits tax (NPT), earnings tax, and school income tax (SIT). You can pay taxes on this website without creating a username and password, but you must be logged in to file taxes. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue strongly encourages you to file online to avoid processing delays. If you prefer filing paper returns, the 2022 BIRT, SIT, Earnings Tax, and NPT paper forms are available online.
Philadelphia is extending an important nonresident wage tax refund form for tax year 2022: the COVID-EZ form. While a paper version of this form is on its website, an electronic form soon will be available on the Philadelphia Tax Center. Please note the following:
The COVID-EZ form is only for nonresidents required to work from home during the pandemic. You cannot use this form for overtime, travel, business expenses, or stock options. Instead, use the long wage tax petition form to capture all these, which can be found via the “Request Wage Tax refund” link under the “Refunds” panel at the Philadelphia Tax Center.
The city’s Bulk Requestor process for tax year 2022 isn’t available yet. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue will update its LinkedIn page and website when the forms are available. While unavailable, nonresident employees are encouraged to use the Philadelphia Tax Center to request a 2022 wage tax refund.
Eligible Philadelphia employees or workers can complete a 2022 income-based wage tax petition electronically. You can access the forms directly from the Philadelphia Tax Center homepage.
Each year, to ensure that electronic tax forms recreated by tax preparers are compatible with its processing system, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue provides specific tax design guidelines. If you recreate its digital forms, you must comply with specific guidelines before replicating Philadelphia tax return forms. Starting in tax year 2022, the Philadelphia Department of Revenue requires you to complete testing and be approved before submitting substitute tax forms to the city. To request additional information about this process, contact taxformtesting@phila.gov.
Connors Named Deputy Secretary for Compliance and Collections
Stacey Connors has been named deputy secretary for compliance and collections at the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. She replaces Dale Simpson, who is now special advisor to the executive deputy secretary. Connors had been chief counsel to former state Sen. Pat Browne, who is now acting revenue secretary.
The deputy secretary for compliance and collections is responsible for directing department operations to enforce compliance with the state’s tax laws. The deputy secretary plans, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates the compliance and collection functions of the department and is responsible for coordination and cooperation with law enforcement agencies at the state, federal, and local levels. Connors will oversee the Customer Experience Center, the Bureau of Compliance, and the Bureau of Desk Review and Analysis.
The PICPA congratulates Stacey Connors and looks forward to working with her.
State House Panel Holds Tax Policy Reform Roundtable
Republican members of the state House Appropriations Committee, led by Seth Grove (R-York), convened a roundtable discussion on tax policy reforms. Representatives from the Tax Foundation, Americans for Prosperity Pennsylvania, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Commonwealth Foundation presented testimony.
A common theme that emerged from the speakers was concern over Pennsylvania’s shrinking labor pool, aging population, and uncompetitive tax policies.
According to the Tax Foundation’s testimony, 116,000 workers left Pennsylvania’s labor force in the past three years, and not all have been replaced. There are 60,500 fewer people employed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
Americans for Prosperity Pennsylvania urged lawmakers to eliminate corporate giveaways and to also consider consolidating taxing authorities. Pennsylvania has more than 3,000 local taxing jurisdictions, the group noted.
Pew Charitable Trusts emphasized the need for good practices to maintain the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The fund is at an all-time high of $5 billion, and the group suggests that Pennsylvania regularly dedicate collections from revenue peaks and one-time sources.
Pa. Taxpayers Can Exclude Certain 2022 State Payments, Says IRS
The IRS has determined that taxpayers in 21 states, including Pennsylvania, do not need to report special payments on their 2022 tax returns. The IRS determined it will not challenge the taxability of payments related to general welfare and disaster relief.
Questions arose regarding special tax refunds or payments made by certain states related to the pandemic and its associated consequences in 2022. A variety of state programs distributed these payments in 2022, and the rules surrounding their treatment for federal income tax purposes are complex. In general, payments made by states are includable in income for federal tax purposes, but there are exceptions that would apply to many of the payments made by states in 2022.
To assist taxpayers who have received these payments file their returns in a timely fashion, the IRS has provided additional information.
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