PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 tax filing season is officially underway, and the Philadelphia Department of Revenue is now accepting and processing hundreds of thousands of tax returns, payments, and refund requests. This year, taxpayers will benefit from expanded customer service options designed to make filing easier and faster. Philadelphia business taxes, like federal taxes, are due by April 15, while the Real Estate Tax is due by March 31.
“Every dollar collected helps fund the services that keep Philadelphia running, from libraries, parks, and schools, to the police and fire departments that protect our neighborhoods,” said Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor, City of Philadelphia. “By fulfilling our tax obligations, we support the continued operation of vital programs that benefit all Philadelphians. My commitment is to deliver a government you feel, touch, and see, and these services are the fulfillment of that promise.”
“Our goal is to make tax compliance simpler, smoother, and more accessible for everyone,” said Kathleen McColgan, Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Revenue. “We are committed to optimizing digital resources and expanding support options to help residents and businesses file their taxes accurately and on time. We want every Philadelphian to have the necessary resources to fulfill their obligations effectively and with ease.”
- Extended Hours: Starting February 2, the Department of Revenue phone lines will remain open until 7:30 PM Monday to Friday through April 15. Taxpayers can call (215) 686-6600 for all tax questions or (215) 686-6442 for property tax questions.
- Faster Refunds: Taxpayers who submit an online refund petition can now choose direct deposit, the fastest way to receive refunds like the City Wage Tax. Most direct deposit refunds are issued within seven business days after refund approval. Taxpayers can track their refund status using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.
- Reduced Lookback for Voluntary Disclosure: Taxpayers who voluntarily comply will have a three-year lookback instead of six years. This makes Philadelphia policy consistent with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, making compliance easier for taxpayers.
- Free Filing Assistance: The City partners with several local organizations that provide free tax-filing services to individuals and qualifying business owners. Individuals in need of free tax preparation services can visit gov/free-tax-help and phila.gov/business-tax-prep.
- Free webinars: In December, we started our Lunch and Learn Webinar Series. These webinars happen on the third Wednesday of each month to help taxpayers prepare for tax season. Recordings are available on our YouTube channel. On February 18, we will discuss City Refunds. On March 18, we will wrap up the series with a detailed session on Nexus and taxable activity thresholds for businesses in Philadelphia.
Each tax season brings changes, and the Department of Revenue is here to help taxpayers navigate them. Throughout the season, the Department shares helpful emails, blog posts, and videos to simplify filing and payments. Taxpayers can learn more about Philadelphia taxes at phila.gov/revenue, on YouTube, and on our blogs.