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Tax Rate History

A summary schedule of City of Philadelphia tax rates since 1952.

City and School District of Philadelphia (Revised June 11, 2026)

Amusement Tax

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Bowling Alley Tax

Years Rates
1993 and subsequent years Repealed
1952 – 1992 Annual tax of $25 for each alley

Business Income and Receipts Tax

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Commercial Activity License

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Condominium Conversion Privilege Tax

Declared unconstitutional by Common Pleas Court April 1989


Earnings Tax

See Wage Tax


General Business Tax (School District)

Years Rates
1985 and subsequent years Repealed
1968 – 1984 2 mills on gross receipts or 2% or net income, whichever is lower
1952 – 1967 1 mill on gross receipts

Hotel Room Rental Tax

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Liquor Sales Tax

Years Rates
1995 and subsequent years 10.00% on every retail sale of liquor or malt and brewed beverage which is not subject to the Pennsylvania Sales Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax

Mechanical Amusement Device Tax

Years Rates
1983 and subsequent years Annual tax of $100 per device
1952 – 1982 Annual tax of $25 per device

Mercantile License Tax

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Net Profit Tax

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Outdoor Advertising Tax

Years Rates
July 1, 2005 and subsequent years 7% of the purchase price

Pari-Mutual Tax

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Parking Tax

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Personal Property Tax (City)

Years Rates
1997 and subsequent years Suspended
1952 – 1996 4 mills on taxable intangible items

Personal Property Tax (School District)

Years Rates
1968 and subsequent years Repealed
1952 – 1967 4 mills on taxable intangible items

Real Estate Tax

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Real Estate Tax Non-Utilization Tax

Years Rates
1981 – 2000 5.00% of assessed value of vacant real estate
1981 – 2000 10.00% of assessed value of vacant real estate

Real Estate Transfer Tax

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Sales and Use and Hotel Occupancy

Years Rates
Oct. 1, 1991 and subsequent years 1.00% an excise tax on the rent of the room(s) in a hotel in the City
Oct. 8, 2009 and subsequent years 2.00% on the retail sale or use of tangible personal property and services
Oct. 1, 1991 – Oct. 7, 2009 1.00% on the retail sale or use of tangible personal property and services

School Income Tax (School District)

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Sound Production Tax

Years Rates
1993 and subsequent years Repealed
1952 – 1992 5.000% on gross income

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax

Years Rates
2017 and subsequent years $0.015 per fluid ounce

Years Rates
July 1, 2010 and subsequent years $0.036 for individually rolled items, like cigars
July 1, 2010 and subsequent years $0.36 per pack of rolling papers
July 1, 2010 and subsequent years $0.36 per ounce of all other tobacco and tobacco-related items

Use and Occupancy Tax (School District)

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Vending Machine Tax

Years Rates
1990 and subsequent years Repealed
July 1, 1988 – Dec. 31, 1989 $100 per vending machine (newspapers exempt)

Vehicle Rental Tax

Years Rates
July 1, 2000 and subsequent years 2.00% on amount received for renting a vehicle

Wage Tax and Earnings Tax

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