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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.

As part of the reopening of the City, we encourage taxpayers to schedule an in-person appointment to pay taxes and other fees at the Municipal Services Building (MSB). Due to continuing efforts to contain the pandemic, satellite offices remain closed.

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. However, 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.

The Department of Revenue has launched the City’s new tax filing and payment website. From now on, use the Philadelphia Tax Center to file and pay the following taxes electronically: BIRT, Wage, NPT, Earnings, Liquor, SIT, Beverage, and Tobacco. For help getting started, or for answers to common questions, please see our online tax center guide. All other taxes will remain on our eFile/ePay website.

How to file City taxes

Filing returns online

All Philadelphia taxes can be filed online. A few taxes must be filed online. These are:

  • Philadelphia Beverage Tax (PBT)
  • Liquor Tax
  • Wage Tax
  • Use & Occupancy (U&O) Tax

Taxpayers who need to file 1099 or W-2 forms can also upload these forms electronically.

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

Besides the PBT, Liquor, Wage and U&O taxes, taxpayers can choose to file their returns on paper. 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 through the Philadelphia Tax Center:

  • Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT)
  • School Income Tax (SIT)
  • Net Profits Tax (NPT), Wage Tax, Earnings Tax
  • Philadelphia Beverage Tax (PBT)
  • Tobacco Tax
  • Liquor Tax

You can pay these taxes by logging into the Philadelphia Tax Center, or by paying as a guest from the homepage, without a username and password. To pay as a guest, select one of the options under the “Payments” panel, and follow the on-screen prompts.

The following taxes can be paid online through the eFile/ePay website:

  • Use & Occupancy Tax
  • Amusement Tax
  • Hotel Tax
  • Outdoor Advertising
  • Parking Tax
  • Valet Parking Tax
  • Vehicle Rental

To pay taxes through our eFile/ePay portal, 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

You can pay be eCheck or by credit/debit card on the Philadelphia Tax Center, the eFile/ePay website, or the Real Estate Tax balance search and payment website.

We encourage taxpayers to use eCheck, which is free.

Payments by credit/debit card come with a processing fee, which is collected by our processing vendor, not by the City. There is a service fee of  2.25% for payments made with credit cards. In-person payments with Visa debit cards have a processing fee of $3.95.

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 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 the Philadelphia Tax Center or 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

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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