Philadelphians' Tax Preferences

Over the past decade, local tax reforms have made Philadelphia a better place to do business. What other changes to the tax code could lead to economic growth across the city? Could tax reform create a more inclusive and equitable COVID-19 recovery? 

The new Tax Reform Working Group believes that every Philadelphia neighborhood should prosper. They want to hear what you think about taxes in the city. 
 
This survey will be open until October 31, 2021. 
 
Please note that the Uniformity Clause in the State Constitution means that the City is not allowed to apply different tax rates to the same class of taxpayers. This means that the City is not allowed to tax small or large businesses at different rates, for example. It also means that the City is not allowed to have a progressive Wage Tax with different tax rates for different income levels. 
 
If you would like to learn more about the City’s budget and taxes, the City has recorded some videos: 
 
Budget 101 
Deep Dive into the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) 
Introduction to Philadelphia Taxes 
Limitations to Philadelphia’s Taxing Powers 
 
The City has also recorded virtual community meetings where City tax experts provided an overview of existing City taxes. The recordings will be made available on the City’s Tax Reform page.  
1.Which of the following types of taxes do you pay to the City?
2.If you pay business taxes, do you think the City offers enough filing guidance for business taxpayers?
3.Are you familiar with the Homestead Exemption, which reduces the assessed value of a primary residence by $45,000 and is not income-restricted?
4.Are you familiar with the Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement for Real Estate Tax (also known as “OOPA”), which is a program allows homeowners to make affordable monthly payments on property taxes that are past due?
5.Do you think the City of Philadelphia has enough programs for people who need help paying their taxes?
6.How should the City pay for increased need for City services?
7.The City’s taxes represent trade-offs between different interests and goals. Most of the City’s tax revenue comes from a mix of taxes on different economic activity, such as the Wage Tax, the Real Estate Tax, and Business Taxes. In the future, which of the following changes, if any, would you want to see to the City’s taxes?
Increase
Decrease
Maintain the status quo
Real Estate and Use & Occupancy Taxes
Income/Wage Taxes (including Net Profits Taxes)
Business Taxes
Sales Taxes
Fees and Fines
8.If the City was going to increase one tax rate, which tax rate would you most want the City to increase?
9.If the City was going to decrease one tax rate, which tax rate would you most want the City to decrease?
10.What else, if anything, would you like to see change related to taxes?
11.What other revenue-generating or cost-saving ideas would you like to share with the City?
12.Email (optional)
13.Please check all that apply:
14.Home zip code:
15.What is your gender?
16.Do you identify as transgender?
17.What is your race? (Select all that apply.)
18.Do you identify as Hispanic or Latinx?
19.What is your age?
20.What is your highest level of education?
21.What is your annual household income?
22.Do you have a mental or physical disability?
23.Do you rent or own your current residence?