Only non-resident employees are eligible for a Wage Tax refund for work performed outside of Philadelphia. Resident employees are taxable whether working in or out of Philadelphia. However, resident employees may apply for a refund for deductible, non-reimbursed business expenses.

All employee Wage Tax refund petitions require documentation to verify any time worked outside of Philadelphia. Employees who request a refund for travel should use our refunds date and location worksheet, and must provide a copy of their Telework Agreement.

Non-resident employees who submit a refund request online must attach a letter from their employer. The letter – signed and on company letterhead – must include the dates the employee was required to work outside Philadelphia. Any claim for refund must be filed within three years from the date the tax was paid, or due, whichever date is later.

A COVID-EZ form was created for non-resident salaried employees applying for a refund for days they were required to work from home by their employer because of the coronavirus pandemic. With the COVID-EZ form, requestors must attach their W-2 and a letter – signed and on company letterhead – stating the time period mandated to work outside of Philadelphia.

Wage Tax refund requests can be submitted through the Philadelphia Tax Center, including all income-based and Covid-EZ refunds for salaried or commissioned employees.

If you requested a refund on your return, you do not need to fill out these forms.

How to request a refund through the Philadelphia Tax Center

To request a refund, once in the Philadelphia Tax Center, you need to know your FEIN, SSN, or PHTIN. You will also need to provide your mailing address, W-2 information, and compensation, sales, expense information.

To get started, see the “Refunds” panel on the lower-left side of the homepage. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your refund request. 

Once you submit your refund request, the Department of Revenue will review it. The normal processing time is six to eight weeks.

You can check the status of your refund online using the “Where’s My Refund” link under the “Refunds” panel of the home page. Online petitioners will see the status of their refunds faster than paper requestors. To access this feature, you will need an identification number like SSN or EIN and the exact refund requested amount.

If you file for Pennsylvania tax forgiveness through PA Schedule SP and are approved, you may also be entitled to receive a refund of City Wage Tax withheld by your employer.

Eligible applicants pay Wage Tax at a lower rate. Full instructions, along with a schedule of eligible income amounts and rate reductions, are included in the refund petition form. Applicants must use an additional petition if they have more than four W-2’s.

We encourage all applicants to use the online Wage Tax refund petition. We process petitions submitted online faster and with fewer errors. Applicants may use a paper income-based Wage Tax refund petition if they prefer. If you are filing with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), you can only submit your refund request on paper.

Non-Pennsylvania residents who work in Philadelphia but do not file a Pennsylvania income tax return must include a signed copy of their state income tax return to be eligible for the income-based rates.

Philadelphia employers are required to give an income-based Wage Tax refund petition form to employees by February 1. In most cases, employers provide the refund petition at the same time they provide employee W-2s or comparable forms. Anyone can also download a copy of the form.