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Payments, assistance & taxes

How to file and pay City taxes

There are several different ways to file and pay taxes to the City of Philadelphia.

Most taxes are filed and paid at the same time. However, there are situations where someone may need to file a return even if they don’t owe a payment. For example, if you’re self-employed and your business loses money over the course of a year, you may not owe any taxes, but you’re still required to file business tax returns with the Department of Revenue.

It’s always a good idea to file returns regularly and be aware of any due dates associated with the taxes you must pay.

How to file City taxes

Filing returns online

Some, but not all, tax returns can be filed through the Department of Revenue’s eFile/ePay portal. The following taxes can be filed online:

  • Business Income & Receipts Tax (EZ return)
  • Business Income & Receipts Tax (long form)
  • Net Profits Tax
  • School Income Tax
  • Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products Tax
  • Use & Occupancy Tax
  • Wage Tax (annual reconciliation)

Taxpayers who need to file 1099 or W-2 forms can also use the eFile/ePay portal to upload these forms via file transfer protocol (FTP).

Filing returns through Modernized e-Filing (MeF)

You can use the IRS Modernized e-Filing program to file some City of Philadelphia taxes. The Department of Revenue has approved tax preparation software packages from several companies. E-filing software is available for:

  • Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT)
  • Net Profits Tax (NPT)
  • School Income Tax (SIT)

Filing paper returns

Many City tax returns are still processed using forms that are not submitted through the eFile/ePay platform. Revenue makes blank copies of these forms available online, and it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to download, complete, and return them.

You can find instructions for where and how to file these returns on the website page for each tax, and on the forms themselves.

How to pay City taxes

You can find detailed instructions for how to pay a tax on the website page for each tax. The methods described below are for general reference.

Online

The following taxes can be paid online when they’re filed through the eFile/ePay portal:

  • Business Income and Receipts Tax
  • Tobacco Tax
  • Net Profits Tax
  • School Income Tax
  • Tobacco & Tobacco-Related Products Tax
  • Use & Occupancy Tax
  • Wage Tax (annual reconciliation)
  • Amusement Tax
  • Earnings Tax
  • Hotel Tax
  • Liquor Tax
  • Outdoor Advertising
  • Parking Tax
  • Valet Parking Tax
  • Vehicle Rental

To pay your taxes online, you will need:

  • Your SSN/EIN or Philadelphia tax account number.
  • Your Department of Revenue PIN number.
  • Your bank’s nine digit routing number and your savings or checking account number.

Your PIN is generated by the City when you register your business online. If you have never used our online system, you will need to go to select “Apply for a PIN” on the left-hand side of our online services screen.

By eCheck or by credit/debit card

The following taxes can be paid online by eCheck or credit/debit card:

Paying by eCheck is free. There is a service fee of 2% for payments made with credit cards. Visa debit cards have a $3.95 payment processing fee for all taxes.

By Modernized e-Filing (MeF)

If you file your City taxes through the Modernized e-Filing, you can also pay what you owe through the approved software packages.

Please note that MeF allows you to schedule your payment date up to the taxes’ due date.

By Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Most tax payments can also be made electronically via our free Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program. This type of payment is also referred to as an Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) transaction, and it involves a direct deduction from your account. To apply for this service or find out more about using it, visit our EFT information page.

By mail

Send in the payment coupon attached to your bill with a check or money order. Be sure to write the tax type and account number on your check.

Use the mailing address provided on the bill, or check the website page for the specific tax.

Visit our eFile/ePay site if you need to print a payment coupon.

In person

Pay your bill in person with check or money order at one of the three authorized customer service locations. Pay with cash in person at the Municipal Services Building.

By phone

You can pay your Real Estate Tax by credit card over the phone by calling (877) 309-3710.

If you experience any problems with this telephone system, please contact customer service at (800) 487-4567.

Help with tax accounts & payments

Troubleshooting

For trouble with your PIN, accessing the site, or making credit card, debit card, or eCheck payments, call (215) 686-6628 or (215) 686-6354. You can also send questions to egovservices@phila.gov.

Questions about your account

  • For general account questions, call (215) 686-6600.
  • For Real Estate Tax questions, call (215) 686-6442.

Video instruction for online filing

For additional guidance about our online filing system, please watch our YouTube videos.

Related content

Instructions: Use eCheck to pay City taxes


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