PRINTER'S NO.  3369

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1776

Session of

2012

  

  

INTRODUCED BY COX, CALTAGIRONE, MALONEY, GALLOWAY, SACCONE, GOODMAN, GILLEN, SCAVELLO, AUMENT, BARRAR, BEAR, BLOOM, BOBACK, BOYD, R. BROWN, CHRISTIANA, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALEY, DAVIDSON, DAVIS, DAY, DENLINGER, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, GERGELY, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, HARRIS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KAUFFMAN, M. K. KELLER, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KULA, LAWRENCE, MAHONEY, MATZIE, McGEEHAN, MILLER, MIRABITO, MOUL, PERRY, QUIGLEY, REESE, ROCK, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCHRODER, STERN, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TOBASH, TOEPEL, TRUITT AND VEREB, APRIL 10, 2012

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, APRIL 10, 2012  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Providing for tax levies and information related to taxes;

2

authorizing the imposition of a personal income tax or an

3

earned income tax by a school district subject to voter

4

approval; providing for imposition of and exclusions from a

5

sales and use tax for the stabilization of education funding;

6

establishing the Public Transportation Reserve Fund;

7

providing for increase to the personal income tax, for

8

certain licenses, for hotel occupancy tax, for procedure and

9

administration of the tax, for expiration of authority to

10

issue certain debt and for reporting by local government

11

units of debt outstanding; establishing the Education

12

Stabilization Fund; providing for disbursements from this

13

fund and for certain rebates and assistance to senior

14

citizens; and repealing certain provisions of The Local Tax

15

Enabling Act, sales and use tax provisions of the Tax Reform

16

Code of 1971 and provisions relating to senior citizens

17

property tax and rent rebate assistance in the Taxpayer

18

Relief Act.

19

TABLE OF CONTENTS

20

Chapter 1.  Preliminary Provisions

21

Section 101.  Short title.

22

Section 102.  Definitions.

 


1

Chapter 3.  Personal Income Tax

2

Subchapter A.  School District Income Tax

3

Section 301.  Scope.

4

Section 302.  Definitions.

5

Section 303.  Preemption.

6

Section 304.  Personal income tax authorization.

7

Section 305.  Continuity of tax.

8

Section 306.  Exemption of low-income persons.

9

Section 307.  Collection of personal income tax.

10

Section 308.  Limitation on assessment.

11

Section 309.  Distress and sale of personal property of

12

taxpayer.

13

Section 310.  Collection of delinquent taxes from employers.

14

Section 311.  Collection of delinquent taxes from Commonwealth.

15

Section 312.  Notice to taxpayer.

16

Section 313.  Collection of taxes by suit.

17

Section 314.  Interest and penalties.

18

Section 315.  Fines and penalties for violation of resolutions.

19

Section 316.  Collection at source.

20

Subchapter B.  Education Tax

21

Section 321.  Education tax.

22

Chapter 5.  Earned Income Tax

23

Section 501.  Scope.

24

Section 502.  Definitions.

25

Section 503.  Preemption.

26

Section 504.  Earned income tax authorization.

27

Section 505.  Continuity of tax.

28

Section 506.  Exemption of low-income persons.

29

Section 507.  Collection of earned income tax.

30

Section 508.  Limitation on assessment.

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1

Section 509.  Distress and sale of property of taxpayer.

2

Section 510.  Collection of delinquent taxes from employers.

3

Section 511.  Collection of delinquent taxes from Commonwealth.

4

Section 512.  Notice to taxpayer.

5

Section 513.  Collection of taxes by suit.

6

Section 514.  Interest and penalties.

7

Section 515.  Fines and penalties for violation of resolutions.

8

Section 516.  Collection at source.

9

Chapter 7.  Sales and Use Tax for the Stabilization of Education

10

Funding

11

Subchapter A.  Preliminary Provisions

12

Section 701.  Scope.

13

Section 701.1.  Definitions.

14

Subchapter B.  Sales and Use Tax

15

Section 702.  Imposition of tax.

16

Section 703.  Computation of tax.

17

Subchapter C.  Exclusions from Sales and Use Tax

18

Section 704.  Exclusions from tax.

19

Section 705.  Alternate imposition of tax.

20

Section 706.  Credit against tax.

21

Subchapter D.  Licenses

22

Section 708.  Licenses.

23

Subchapter E.  Hotel Occupancy Tax

24

Section 709.  Definitions.

25

Section 710.  Imposition of tax.

26

Section 711.  Seasonal tax returns.

27

Subchapter F.  Procedure and Administration

28

Section 715.  Persons required to make returns.

29

Section 716.  Form of returns.

30

Section 717.  Time for filing returns.

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1

Section 718.  Extension of time for filing returns.

2

Section 719.  Place for filing returns.

3

Section 720.  Timely mailing treated as timely filing and

4

payment.

5

Section 721.  Payment of tax.

6

Section 722.  Time of payment.

7

Section 723.  Other times for payment.

8

Section 724.  Place for payment.

9

Section 725.  Tax held in trust for Commonwealth.

10

Section 726.  Local receivers of use tax.

11

Section 727.  Discount.

12

Section 728.  (Reserved).

13

Section 729.  (Reserved).

14

Section 730.  Assessment.

15

Section 731.  Mode and time of assessment.

16

Section 732.  Reassessment.

17

Section 733.  (Reserved).

18

Section 734.  Review by Board of Finance and Revenue.

19

Section 735.  (Reserved).

20

Section 736.  Burden of proof.

21

Section 737.  Collection of tax.

22

Section 738.  Collection of tax on motor vehicles, trailers and

23

semitrailers.

24

Section 739.  Precollection of tax.

25

Section 740.  Bulk and auction sales.

26

Section 741.  Collection on failure to request reassessment,

27

review or appeal.

28

Section 742.  Lien for taxes.

29

Section 743.  Suit for taxes.

30

Section 744.  Tax suit comity.

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1

Section 745.  Service.

2

Section 746.  Collection and payment of tax on credit sales.

3

Section 747.  Prepayment of tax.

4

Section 747.1.  Refund of sales tax attributed to bad debt.

5

Section 748.  Registration of transient vendors.

6

Section 748.1.  Bond.

7

Section 748.2.  Notification to department.

8

Section 748.3.  Seizure of property.

9

Section 748.4.  Fines.

10

Section 748.5.  Transient vendors subject to chapter.

11

Section 748.6.  Promoters.

12

Section 749.  (Reserved).

13

Section 750.  (Reserved).

14

Section 751.  (Reserved).

15

Section 752.  Refunds.

16

Section 753.  Refund petition.

17

Section 754.  (Reserved).

18

Section 755.  (Reserved).

19

Section 756.  Extended time for filing special petition for

20

refund.

21

Section 757.  (Reserved).

22

Section 758.  Limitation on assessment and collection.

23

Section 759.  Failure to file return.

24

Section 760.  False or fraudulent return.

25

Section 761.  Extension of limitation period.

26

Section 762.  (Reserved).

27

Section 763.  (Reserved).

28

Section 764.  (Reserved).

29

Section 765.  Interest.

30

Section 766.  Additions to tax.

- 5 -

 


1

Section 767.  Penalties.

2

Section 768.  Criminal offenses.

3

Section 769.  Abatement of additions or penalties.

4

Section 770.  Rules and regulations.

5

Section 771.  Keeping of records.

6

Section 771.1.  Reports and records of promoters.

7

Section 772.  Examinations.

8

Section 773.  Records and examinations of delivery agents.

9

Section 774.  Unauthorized disclosure.

10

Section 775.  Cooperation with other governments.

11

Section 776.  Interstate compacts.

12

Section 777.  Bonds.

13

Subchapter G.  Funding Provisions

14

Section 780.  (Reserved).

15

Section 781.  Appropriation for refunds.

16

Section 781.1.  Construction.

17

Section 781.2.  Transfers to Public Transportation Reserve Fund.

18

Section 782.  Transfers to Education Stabilization Fund.

19

Chapter 9.  Senior Citizens Property Tax and Rent Rebate

20

Assistance

21

Section 901.  Scope of chapter.

22

Section 902.  (Reserved).

23

Section 903.  Definitions.

24

Section 904.  Property tax, rent rebate and inflation cost.

25

Section 905.  Filing of claim.

26

Section 906.  Proof of claim.

27

Section 907.  Incorrect claim.

28

Section 908.  Funds for payment of claims.

29

Section 909.  Claim forms and rules and regulations.

30

Section 910.  Fraudulent claims and conveyances to obtain

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1

benefits.

2

Section 911.  Petition for redetermination.

3

Section 912.  Review by Board of Finance and Revenue.

4

Section 913.  Appeal.

5

Chapter 11.  Limitations on School District Taxation

6

Section 1101.  Authority to levy taxes and effect of future

7

Constitutional amendment.

8

Section 1102.  Transitional taxes.

9

Section 1103.  Consideration of State appropriations or

10

reimbursements.

11

Section 1104.  Taxes for cities and school districts of the

12

first class.

13

Chapter 12.  Indebtedness

14

Section 1201.  Expiration of authority to issue debt.

15

Section 1202.  Notices and reporting by school districts of debt

16

outstanding.

17

Chapter 13.  Funding Provisions

18

Section 1301.  Definitions.

19

Section 1302.  Education Stabilization Fund.

20

Section 1303.  Standard disbursements to school districts from

21

Education Stabilization Fund.

22

Chapter 15.  Miscellaneous Provisions

23

Section 1501.  Transitional provision.

24

Section 1502.  Construction.

25

Section 1503.  Severability.

26

Section 1504.  Repeals.

27

Section 1505.  Applicability.

28

Section 1506.  Effective date.

29

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

30

hereby enacts as follows:

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1

CHAPTER 1

2

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

3

Section 101.  Short title.

4

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Property Tax

5

Independence Act.

6

Section 102.  Definitions.

7

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

8

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

9

context clearly indicates otherwise:

10

"Department."  The Department of Revenue of the Commonwealth.

11

"Education Stabilization Fund."  The Education Stabilization

12

Fund established in section 1302.

13

"Fiscal year."  The fiscal year of the Commonwealth beginning

14

on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the immediately following

15

calendar year.

16

"Governing body."  The board of school directors of a school

17

district, except that the term shall mean the city council of a

18

city of the first class for purposes of the levy and collection

19

of any tax in a school district of the first class.

20

"Internal Revenue Code of 1986."  The Internal Revenue Code

21

of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 166).

22

"Local Tax Enabling Act."  The act of December 31, 1965

23

(P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act,

24

"Public School Code of 1949."  The act of March 10, 1949

25

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.

26

"School district."  A school district of the first class,

27

first class A, second class, third class or fourth class,

28

including any independent school district. For purposes of the

29

levy, assessment and collection of any tax in a school district

30

of the first class, the term shall include the City Council.

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1

"School per capita tax."  The tax authorized pursuant to

2

section 679 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known

3

as the Public School Code of 1949,

4

"Secretary."  The Secretary of Revenue of the Commonwealth.

5

"Tax Reform Code of 1971."  The act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,

6

No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

7

CHAPTER 3

8

PERSONAL INCOME TAX

9

SUBCHAPTER A

10

SCHOOL DISTRICT INCOME TAX

11

Section 301.  Scope.

12

This chapter authorizes school districts to levy, assess and

13

collect a personal income tax as a means of abolishing property

14

taxation by the school district.

15

Section 302.  Definitions.

16

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

17

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

18

context clearly indicates otherwise:

19

"Association."  A partnership, limited partnership or other

20

unincorporated group of two or more persons.

21

"Business."  An enterprise, activity, profession or other

22

undertaking of an unincorporated nature conducted for profit or

23

ordinarily conducted for profit whether by a person, association

24

or other entity.

25

"Compensation."  The classes of income included within the

26

definition of "compensation" set forth in section 301 of the act

27

of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of

28

1971, and upon which are imposed a personal income tax by the

29

Commonwealth.

30

"Corporation."  A corporation or joint stock association

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1

organized under the laws of the United States or the

2

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other state, territory,

3

foreign country or dependency.

4

"Current year."  The calendar year or fiscal year for which a

5

tax is levied.

6

"Domicile."

7

(1)  The place where a person lives and has the person's

8

permanent home and to which the person has the intention of

9

returning whenever the person is absent. Actual residence is

10

not necessarily domicile because domicile is the fixed place

11

of abode which, in the intention of the taxpayer, is

12

permanent rather than transitory.

13

(2)  Domicile is the voluntarily fixed place of

14

habitation of a person, not for a mere special or limited

15

purpose, but with the present intention of making a permanent

16

home, until some event occurs to induce the person to adopt

17

some other permanent home.

18

(3)  In the case of a business or association, the

19

domicile is any place where the business or association is

20

conducting or engaging in a business for profit within a

21

school district.

22

"Employer."  A person, association, corporation, governmental

23

unit or other entity employing one or more persons, other than

24

domestic servants, for compensation.

25

"Nonresident."  A person, association or other entity

26

domiciled outside a school district.

27

"Person" or "individual."  A natural person.

28

"Personal income."  The classes of income enumerated in

29

section 303 of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as

30

the Tax Reform Code of 1971, and on which is imposed a personal

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1

income tax by the Commonwealth.

2

"Political subdivision."  A school district.

3

"Preceding year."  The calendar year or fiscal year before a

4

current year.

5

"Resident."  A person, association, corporation or other

6

entity:

7

(1)  living in or maintaining a permanent or fixed place

8

of abode in a school district; or

9

(2)  conducting or engaging in a business for profit

10

within a school district.

11

"Succeeding year."  The calendar year or fiscal year

12

following a current year.

13

"Tax officer."  The person, public employee or private agency

14

designated by a governing body to collect and administer a tax

15

imposed under this chapter, and the treasurer of a school

16

district of the first class A.

17

"Taxpayer."  A person, association or other entity required

18

under this chapter to file a tax return or to pay a tax.

19

Section 303.  Preemption.

20

No act of the General Assembly shall vacate or preempt any

21

resolution passed or adopted under the authority of this

22

chapter, or any other act, providing authority for the

23

imposition of a tax by a school district, unless the act of the

24

General Assembly expressly vacates or preempts the authority to

25

pass or adopt the resolutions.

26

Section 304.  Personal income tax authorization.

27

(a)  School districts.--Except as prohibited under Chapter

28

11, each school district shall have the power and may, by

29

resolution, levy, assess and collect or provide for the levying,

30

assessment and collection of a tax for general revenue purposes

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1

at a rate as it shall determine on personal income of the

2

residents of the school district. A school district may only

3

levy or increase the rate of personal income tax when that

4

school district complies with the provisions of subsection (b).

5

(b)  Adoption of referendum.--

6

(1)  In order to levy a personal income tax under this

7

chapter, a governing body shall use the procedures set forth

8

in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7).

9

(2)  (i)  Subject to the notice and public hearing

10

requirements of paragraph (7), a governing body may levy

11

the personal income tax under this chapter only by

12

obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected

13

school district in a public referendum at only the

14

municipal election preceding the fiscal year when the

15

personal income tax will be initially imposed or the rate

16

increased.

17

(ii)  The referendum question must state the initial

18

rate of the proposed personal income tax, the reason for

19

the tax and the amount of proposed budgeted revenue

20

growth, if any, in the first fiscal year following

21

adoption of the referendum.

22

(iii)  The question shall be in clear language that

23

is readily understandable by a layperson. For the purpose

24

of illustration, a referendum question may be framed as

25

follows:

26

Do you favor the imposition of a personal income tax

27

of X%?

28

(iv)  A nonlegal interpretative statement must

29

accompany the question in accordance with section 201.1

30

of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as

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1

the Pennsylvania Election Code, that includes the

2

following: the initial rate of the personal income tax

3

imposed under this chapter, the estimated revenues to be

4

derived from the initial rate of the personal income tax

5

imposed under this chapter.

6

(3)  In the event a school district is located in more

7

than one county, petitions under this section shall be filed

8

with the election officials of the county in which the

9

administrative offices of the school district are located.

10

(4)  The election officials who receive a petition shall

11

perform all administrative functions in reviewing and

12

certifying the validity of the petition and conduct all

13

necessary communications with the school district.

14

(5)  (i)  If the election officials of the county who

15

receive the petition certify that it is sufficient under

16

this section and determine that a question should be

17

placed on the ballot, the decision shall be communicated

18

to election officials in any other county in which the

19

school district is also located.

20

(ii)  Election officials in the other county or

21

counties shall cooperate with election officials of the

22

county that receives the petition to ensure that an

23

identical question is placed on the ballot at the same

24

election throughout the entire school district.

25

(6)  Election officials from each county involved shall

26

independently certify the results from their county to the

27

governing body.

28

(7)  (i)  In order to levy the tax under this section,

29

the governing body shall adopt a resolution which shall

30

refer to this chapter prior to placing a question on the

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1

ballot.

2

(ii)  Prior to adopting a resolution imposing the tax

3

authorized by this section, the governing body shall give

4

public notice of its intent to adopt the resolution in

5

the manner provided by The Local Tax Enabling Act and

6

shall conduct at least two public hearings regarding the

7

proposed adoption of the resolution. One public hearing

8

shall be conducted during normal business hours and one

9

public hearing shall be conducted during evening hours or

10

on a weekend.

11

Section 305.  Continuity of tax.

12

Every tax levied under this chapter shall continue in force

13

on a calendar or fiscal year basis, as the case may be, without

14

annual reenactment unless the rate of the tax is subsequently

15

changed.

16

Section 306.  Exemption of low-income persons.

17

(a)  Low-income exemption.--Each school district shall exempt

18

any person who qualifies under the provisions of section 304 of

19

the Tax Reform Code of 1971 from payment of any or all of the

20

tax imposed under section 304.

21

(b)  Procedures.--Each school district shall adopt procedures

22

for the processing of claims for these exemptions.

23

Section 307.  Collection of personal income tax.

24

The tax officer shall collect all personal income tax imposed

25

by a school district.

26

Section 308.  Limitation on assessment.

27

No assessment may be made of any personal income tax imposed

28

under this chapter more than five years after the date on which

29

the tax should have been paid except where a fraudulent return

30

or no return has been filed.

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1

Section 309.  Distress and sale of personal property of

2

taxpayer.

3

(a)  General rule.--In case of the neglect or refusal of any

4

person, association or corporation to make payment of the amount

5

of any personal income tax due after two months from the date of

6

the tax notice, the tax officer shall levy the amount of the

7

tax, penalty, interest and costs thereon, not exceeding costs

8

and charges allowed constables for similar services by distress

9

and sale of the goods and chattels of the delinquent taxpayer,

10

wherever located, after giving at least ten days' public notice

11

of the sale by one advertisement in a newspaper of general

12

circulation published in the county.

13

(b)  Effect on return.--No failure to demand or collect any

14

taxes by distress and sale of goods and chattels shall

15

invalidate any return made, lien filed for nonpayment of taxes

16

or any tax sale for the collection of taxes.

17

Section 310.  Collection of delinquent taxes from employers.

18

(a)  General rule.--The tax officer shall demand, receive and

19

collect from all employers employing persons owing delinquent

20

personal income taxes or having in possession unpaid

21

compensation belonging to any person or persons owing delinquent

22

personal income taxes on the presentation of a written notice

23

and demand certifying that the information contained in the

24

notice and demand is true and correct and containing the name of

25

the taxpayer and the amount of tax due.

26

(b)  Response to notice.--On the presentation of the written

27

notice and demand, the employer shall deduct from the

28

compensation of the employees then owing, or thereafter due, a

29

sum sufficient to pay the amount of the delinquent personal

30

income taxes, interest, penalty and costs shown on the written

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1

notice or demand, and shall pay the same to the tax officer by

2

which the delinquent tax was levied within 60 days after the

3

notice was given.

4

(c)  Limitation on deduction.--No more than 10% of the

5

compensation of the delinquent taxpayer may be deducted at any

6

one time for delinquent personal income taxes, penalty, interest

7

and costs.

8

(d)  Deduction for costs.--The employer shall be entitled to

9

deduct from the moneys collected from each employee the costs

10

incurred from the extra bookkeeping necessary to record the

11

transactions, not exceeding 2% of the amount collected and paid

12

over to the tax officer.

13

(e)  Forfeiture.--If the employer fails to deduct the amount

14

of such taxes or to pay the same over to the tax officer, less

15

the amount deducted under subsection (d), within the time

16

required by this section, the employer shall forfeit and pay the

17

amount of the tax for those taxpayers whose taxes are not

18

withheld and paid over, or that are withheld and not paid over

19

together with a penalty of 10%, to be recovered by a civil

20

action to be instituted by the tax officer, as debts of like

21

amount are now by law recoverable, except that the person shall

22

not have the benefit of any exemption law or stay of execution.

23

(f)  Collection rights preserved.--Nothing in this section

24

shall be deemed to affect or impair the right of any school

25

district or the tax officer to pursue and collect delinquent

26

taxes validly imposed prior to the effective date of this

27

section.

28

Section 311.  Collection of delinquent taxes from Commonwealth.

29

(a)  General rule.--On presentation of a written notice and

30

demand under oath to the State Treasurer or any other fiscal

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1

officer of the Commonwealth, or its boards, authorities,

2

agencies or commissions, the treasurer or officer shall deduct

3

from the compensation then owing a sum sufficient to pay the

4

amount of the delinquent personal income taxes, interest,

5

penalty and costs shown on the written notice. The same shall be

6

paid to the tax officer within 60 days after the notice is

7

given.

8

(b)  Limitation on deduction.--No more than 10% of the

9

compensation of the delinquent taxpayer may be deducted at any

10

one time for delinquent personal income taxes, interest, penalty

11

and costs.

12

(c)  Collection rights preserved.--Nothing in this section

13

shall be deemed to affect or impair the right of a school

14

district or the tax officer to pursue and collect delinquent

15

taxes validly imposed prior to the effective date of this

16

section.

17

Section 312.  Notice to taxpayer.

18

The department shall, at least 15 days prior to the

19

presentation of a written notice and demand under section 310 or

20

311, notify the taxpayer owing the delinquent tax by registered

21

mail that a written notice and demand shall be presented to the

22

taxpayer's employer unless the tax is paid. The return receipt

23

card for registered mail shall be marked delivered to addressee

24

only, and the cost of notification by registered mail shall be

25

included in the costs for collecting taxes.

26

Section 313.  Collection of taxes by suit.

27

(a)  Power to collect.--

28

(1)  Each school district and the tax officer shall have

29

power to collect unpaid taxes from taxpayers and employers

30

owing such taxes by a civil action or other appropriate

- 17 -

 


1

remedy.

2

(2)  On judgment, execution may be issued without any

3

stay or benefit of any exemption law.

4

(3)  The power to collect unpaid taxes under the

5

provisions of this section shall not be affected by the fact

6

that such taxes have been entered as liens in the office of

7

the prothonotary or the fact that the property against which

8

they were levied has been returned to the county

9

commissioners for taxes for prior years.

10

(b)  Limitation of actions.--A suit brought to recover the

11

taxes under subsection (a) shall be instituted within three

12

years after the tax is due or within three years after a

13

declaration or return has been filed, whichever date is later,

14

except in the following cases:

15

(1)  If no declaration or return was filed by any person

16

although a declaration or return was required to be filed

17

under provisions of the ordinance, there shall be no

18

limitation.

19

(2)  If an examination of the declaration or return filed

20

by any person, or of other evidence relating to the

21

declaration or return in the possession of the tax officer,

22

reveals a fraudulent evasion of taxes, there shall be no

23

limitation.

24

(3)  If there is a substantial understatement of tax

25

liability of 25% or more and no fraud, suit shall be

26

instituted within six years.

27

(4)  If a person has deducted taxes under the provisions

28

of the resolution and has failed to pay the amounts so

29

deducted to the tax officer, or if a person has willfully

30

failed or omitted to make the deductions required by this

- 18 -

 


1

section, there shall be no limitation.

2

(c)  Regulations.--The tax officer, by regulation, shall

3

establish the procedures for collecting the personal income tax

4

and paying the full amount collected over to the school district

5

on a quarterly basis.

6

Section 314.  Interest and penalties.

7

(a)  General rule.--If for any reason the tax is not paid

8

when due, interest at the annual rate of 6% on the amount of the

9

tax, and an additional penalty of .5% of the amount of the

10

unpaid tax for each month or fraction thereof during which the

11

tax remains unpaid, shall be added and collected. Where suit is

12

brought for the recovery of such tax, the person liable therefor

13

shall, in addition, be liable for the costs of collection and

14

the interest and penalties herein imposed.

15

(b)  One-time waiver of interest authorized.--

16

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a),

17

the school district may, by resolution, establish a one-time

18

period during which interest or interest and penalties that

19

would otherwise be imposed for the nonreporting or

20

underreporting of personal income tax liabilities or for the

21

nonpayment of personal income taxes previously imposed and

22

due shall be waived in total or in part if the taxpayer

23

voluntarily files delinquent returns and pays the taxes in

24

full during the period so established.

25

(2)  Each school district may adopt regulations to

26

implement the provisions of this subsection.

27

(c)  Proceedings.--The provisions of subsection (b) shall not

28

affect or terminate any petitions, investigations, prosecutions

29

or other proceedings pending on the effective date of this

30

section, or prevent the commencement or further prosecution of

- 19 -

 


1

any proceedings by the proper authorities for violations of this

2

act. No proceedings shall, however, be commenced on the basis of

3

delinquent returns filed pursuant to subsection (b) if the

4

returns are determined to be substantially true and correct and

5

the taxes are paid in full within the prescribed time.

6

Section 315.  Fines and penalties for violation of resolutions.

7

(a)  Conduct prohibited.--

8

(1)  Any person who fails, neglects or refuses to make

9

any declaration or return required by the resolution, any

10

employer who fails, neglects or refuses to register or to pay

11

the tax deducted from its employees, or fails, neglects or

12

refuses to deduct or withhold the tax from its employees, any

13

person who refuses to permit the officer or any agent

14

designated by that officer to examine the person's books,

15

records and papers, and any person who knowingly makes any

16

incomplete, false or fraudulent return, or attempts to do

17

anything whatsoever to avoid the full disclosure of the

18

amount of the person's personal income in order to avoid the

19

payment of the whole or any part of the tax imposed by the

20

resolution, shall, upon conviction thereof, in any county in

21

which the school district imposing the tax is located, be

22

sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500 for each

23

offense and costs and, in default of payment of the fines and

24

costs, to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 30 days.

25

(2)  Any person who divulges any information which is

26

confidential under the provisions of the resolution shall,

27

upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not

28

more than $500 for each offense and costs and, in default of

29

payment of said fines and costs, to be imprisoned for a

30

period not exceeding 30 days.

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1

(b)  Cumulative penalties.--The penalties imposed under this

2

section shall be in addition to any other penalty imposed by any

3

other section of the resolution.

4

(c)  Defense unavailable.--The failure of any person to

5

receive or procure forms required for making the declaration or

6

returns by the resolution shall not excuse the person from

7

making the declaration or return.

8

Section 316.  Collection at source.

9

(a)  Duty of employers to register.--Every employer having an

10

office, factory, workshop, branch, warehouse or other place of

11

business within the school district imposing a tax on personal

12

income who employs one or more persons, other than domestic

13

servants, for a salary, wage, commission or other compensation,

14

who has not previously registered shall, within 15 days after

15

becoming an employer, register with the tax officer his name and

16

address and such other information as the tax officer may

17

require.

18

(b)  Duty to deduct tax.--

19

(1)  Every employer having an office, factory, workshop,

20

branch, warehouse or other place of business within the

21

school district imposing a tax on personal income who employs

22

one or more persons, other than domestic servants, for a

23

salary, wage, commission or other compensation, shall deduct

24

at the time of payment thereof, the tax imposed pursuant to

25

this chapter due to his employee or employees, and shall, on

26

or before April 30 of the current year, July 31 of the

27

current year, October 31 of the current year and January 31

28

of the succeeding year, file a return and pay to the tax

29

officer the amount of taxes deducted during the preceding

30

three-month periods ending March 31 of the current year, June

- 21 -

 


1

30 of the current year, September 30 of the current year and

2

December 31 of the current year, respectively.

3

(2)  Unless otherwise agreed upon between the tax officer

4

and employer, the return shall show the name and Social

5

Security number of each employee, the compensation of the

6

employee during the preceding three-month period, the tax

7

deducted from the compensation, the school district imposing

8

the tax upon the employee, the total compensation of all

9

employees during the preceding three-month period and the

10

total tax deducted from the compensation and paid with the

11

return.

12

(3)  Any employer that for two of the preceding four

13

quarterly periods has failed to deduct the proper tax, or any

14

part thereof, or has failed to pay over the proper amount of

15

tax to the school district, may be required by the officer to

16

file the employer's return and pay the tax monthly. In such

17

cases, payments of tax shall be made to the tax officer on or

18

before the last day of the month succeeding the month for

19

which the tax was withheld.

20

(c)  Duty to file annual return.--On or before February 28 of

21

the succeeding year, every employer shall file with the tax

22

officer:

23

(1)  An annual return showing the total amount of

24

compensation paid, the total amount of tax deducted and the

25

total amount of tax paid to the tax officer for the period

26

beginning January 1 of the current year and ending December

27

31 of the current year.

28

(2)  A return withholding statement for each employee

29

employed during all or any part of the period beginning

30

January 1 of the current year and ending December 31 of the

- 22 -

 


1

current year, setting forth the employee's name, address and

2

Social Security number, the amount of earned income paid to

3

the employee during the period, the amount of tax deducted,

4

the school district imposing the tax upon the employees and

5

the amount of tax paid to the tax officer. Every employer

6

shall furnish two copies of the individual return to the

7

employee for whom it is filed.

8

(d)  Discontinued businesses.--Every employer who

9

discontinues business prior to December 31 of the current year

10

shall, within 30 days after the discontinuance of business, file

11

the returns and withholding statements required by this section

12

and pay the tax due.

13

(e)  Liability of employers.--Every employer who willfully or

14

negligently fails or omits to make the deductions required by

15

this section shall be liable for payment of the taxes which he

16

was required to withhold to the extent that such taxes have not

17

been recovered from the employee.

18

(f)  Liability of employees.--The failure or omission of any

19

employer to make the deductions required by this section shall

20

not relieve any employee from the payment of the tax or from

21

complying with the requirements of the ordinance or resolution

22

relating to the filing of declarations and returns.

23

SUBCHAPTER B

24

EDUCATION TAX

25

Section 321.  Education tax.

26

(a)  General rule.--In addition to the tax collected under

27

section 302 of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, the Commonwealth

28

shall impose the tax set forth in subsection (c) in the same

29

manner as the tax under the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

30

(b)  Imposition of tax.--

- 23 -

 


1

(1)  Every resident individual, estate or trust shall be

2

subject to, and shall pay for the privilege of receiving each

3

of the classes of income enumerated in section 303 of the Tax

4

Reform Code of 1971, a tax upon each dollar of income

5

received by that resident during that resident's taxable year

6

at the rate of .94%.

7

(2)  Every nonresident individual, estate or trust shall

8

be subject to, and shall pay for the privilege of receiving

9

each of the classes of income enumerated in section 303 of

10

the Tax Reform Code of 1971 from sources within this

11

Commonwealth, a tax upon each dollar of income received by

12

that nonresident during that nonresident's taxable year at

13

the rate of .94%.

14

(c)  Deposit in Education Stabilization Fund.--All moneys

15

collected under this section shall be deposited in the Education

16

Stabilization Fund.

17

(d)  Combination of tax forms.--The department shall

18

incorporate the taxpayer reporting requirement for the

19

implementation of this section into the forms utilized by the

20

department under Article III of the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

21

(e)  Definitions.--The words and phrases used in this section

22

shall have the same meaning given to them in Article III of the

23

Tax Reform Code of 1971.

24

CHAPTER 5

25

EARNED INCOME TAX

26

Section 501.  Scope.

27

This chapter authorizes school districts to levy, assess and

28

collect an earned income tax.

29

Section 502.  Definitions.

30

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

- 24 -

 


1

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

2

context clearly indicates otherwise:

3

"Association."  A partnership, limited partnership or other

4

unincorporated group of two or more persons.

5

"Business."  An enterprise, activity, profession or other

6

undertaking of an unincorporated nature conducted for profit or

7

ordinarily conducted for profit whether by a person, association

8

or other entity.

9

"Corporation."  A corporation or joint stock association

10

organized under the laws of the United States, this Commonwealth

11

or any other state, territory, foreign country or dependency.

12

"Current year."  The calendar year or fiscal year for which a

13

tax is levied.

14

"Department."  The Department of Community and Economic

15

Development of the Commonwealth.

16

"Domicile."

17

(1)  The place where a person lives and has the person's

18

permanent home and to which the person has the intention of

19

returning whenever the person is absent. Actual residence is

20

not necessarily domicile because domicile is the fixed place

21

of abode which, in the intention of the taxpayer, is

22

permanent rather than transitory.

23

(2)  Domicile is the voluntarily fixed place of

24

habitation of a person, not for a mere special or limited

25

purpose, but with the present intention of making a permanent

26

home, until some event occurs to induce the person to adopt

27

some other permanent home.

28

(3)  In the case of a business or association, the

29

domicile is any place where the business or association is

30

conducting or engaging in a business for profit within a

- 25 -

 


1

school district.

2

"Earned income."

3

(1)  Compensation as determined under section 303 of the

4

act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform

5

Code of 1971, and regulations in 61 Pa. Code Pt. I Subpt. B

6

Art. V (relating to personal income tax).

7

(2)  Employee business expenses are allowable deductions

8

as determined under Article III of the Tax Reform Code of

9

1971.

10

(3)  The amount of any housing allowance provided to a

11

member of the clergy shall not be taxable as earned income.

12

"Employer."  A person, association, corporation, governmental

13

unit or other entity employing one or more persons, other than

14

domestic servants for compensation.

15

"Nonresident."  A person, association or other entity

16

domiciled outside a school district.

17

"Person" or "individual."  A natural person.

18

"Political subdivision."  A school district.

19

"Preceding year."  The calendar year or fiscal year before a

20

current year.

21

"Resident."  A person, association, corporation or other

22

entity:

23

(1)  living in or maintaining a permanent or fixed place

24

of abode in a school district; or

25

(2)  conducting or engaging in a business for profit

26

within a school district.

27

"Succeeding year."  The calendar year or fiscal year

28

following a current year.

29

"Tax officer."  The person, public employee or private agency

30

designated by a governing body to collect and administer a tax

- 26 -

 


1

imposed under this chapter, and the treasurer of a school

2

district of the first class A.

3

"Taxpayer."  A person, association or other entity required

4

under this chapter to file a tax return or to pay a tax.

5

Section 503.  Preemption.

6

No act of the General Assembly shall vacate or preempt any

7

resolution passed or adopted under the authority of this chapter

8

or any other act providing authority for the imposition of a tax

9

by a school district, unless the act of the General Assembly

10

expressly vacates or preempts the authority to pass or adopt

11

such resolutions.

12

Section 504.  Earned income tax authorization.

13

(a)  School districts.--Except as prohibited under Chapter

14

11, each school district shall have the power and may, by

15

resolution, levy, assess and collect or provide for the levying,

16

assessment and collection of a tax for general revenue purposes

17

at a rate as it shall determine on earned income of the

18

residents of the school district. A school district may only

19

impose and increase the rate of earned income tax when that

20

school district complies with the provisions of subsection (b).

21

(b)  Adoption of referendum.--

22

(1)  In order to levy an earned income tax under this

23

chapter, a governing body shall use the procedures set forth

24

in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7).

25

(2)  (i)  Subject to the notice and public hearing

26

requirements of paragraph (7), a governing body may levy

27

the earned income tax under this chapter only by

28

obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected

29

school district in a public referendum at only the

30

municipal election preceding the fiscal year when the

- 27 -

 


1

earned income tax will be initially imposed or the rate

2

increased.

3

(ii)  The referendum question must state the initial

4

rate of the proposed earned income tax, the reason for

5

the tax and the amount of proposed budgeted revenue

6

growth, if any, in the first fiscal year following

7

adoption of the referendum.

8

(iii)  The question shall be in clear language that

9

is readily understandable by a layperson. For the purpose

10

of illustration, a referendum question may be framed as

11

follows:

12

Do you favor the imposition of an earned income and

13

net profits tax of X%?

14

(iv)  A nonlegal interpretative statement must

15

accompany the question in accordance with section 201.1

16

of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as

17

the Pennsylvania Election Code, that includes the

18

following: the initial rate of the earned income tax

19

imposed under this chapter and the estimated revenues to

20

be derived from the initial rate of the earned income tax

21

imposed under this chapter.

22

(3)  In the event a school district is located in more

23

than one county, petitions under this section shall be filed

24

with the election officials of the county in which the

25

administrative offices of the school district are located.

26

(4)  The election officials who receive a petition shall

27

perform all administrative functions in reviewing and

28

certifying the validity of the petition and conduct all

29

necessary communications with the school district.

30

(5)  (i)  If the election officials of the county who

- 28 -

 


1

receive the petition certify that it is sufficient under

2

this section and determine that a question should be

3

placed on the ballot, the decision shall be communicated

4

to election officials in any other county in which the

5

school district is also located.

6

(ii)  Election officials in the other county or

7

counties shall cooperate with election officials of the

8

county receiving the petition to ensure that an identical

9

question is placed on the ballot at the same election

10

throughout the entire school district.

11

(6)  Election officials from each county involved shall

12

independently certify the results from their county to the

13

governing body.

14

(7)  (i)  In order to levy the tax under this section,

15

the governing body shall adopt a resolution which refers

16

to this chapter prior to placing a question on the

17

ballot.

18

(ii)  Prior to adopting a resolution imposing the tax

19

authorized by this section, the governing body shall give

20

public notice of its intent to adopt the resolution in

21

the manner provided by The Local Tax Enabling Act and

22

shall conduct at least two public hearings regarding the

23

proposed adoption of the resolution. One public hearing

24

shall be conducted during normal business hours and one

25

public hearing shall be conducted during evening hours or

26

on a weekend.

27

Section 505.  Continuity of tax.

28

Every tax levied under this chapter shall continue in force

29

on a calendar or fiscal year basis, as the case may be, without

30

annual reenactment unless the rate of the tax is subsequently

- 29 -

 


1

changed.

2

Section 506.  Exemption of low-income persons.

3

(a)  General rule.--Each school district shall exempt any

4

person whose total income from all sources is less than $10,000

5

per year from the earned income tax, or any portion thereof.

6

(b)  Procedures.--Each school district shall adopt procedures

7

for the processing of claims for these exemptions.

8

Section 507.  Collection of earned income tax.

9

The tax officer shall collect all earned income tax imposed

10

by a school district.

11

Section 508.  Limitation on assessment.

12

No assessment may be made of any earned income tax imposed

13

under this chapter more than five years after the date on which

14

the tax should have been paid except where a fraudulent return

15

or no return has been filed.

16

Section 509.  Distress and sale of property of taxpayer.

17

(a)  General rule.--In case of the neglect or refusal of any

18

person, association or corporation to make payment of the amount

19

of any earned income tax due after two months from the date of

20

the tax notice, the tax officer shall levy the amount of the

21

tax, penalty, interest and costs thereon, not exceeding costs

22

and charges allowed constables for similar services by distress

23

and sale of the goods and chattels of the delinquent taxpayer,

24

wherever located, after giving at least ten days' public notice

25

of such sale by one advertisement in a newspaper of general

26

circulation published in the county.

27

(b)  Effect on return.--No failure to demand or collect any

28

taxes by distress and sale of goods and chattels shall

29

invalidate any return made, lien filed for nonpayment of taxes

30

or any tax sale for the collection of taxes.

- 30 -

 


1

Section 510.  Collection of delinquent taxes from employers.

2

(a)  General rule.--The tax officer shall demand, receive and

3

collect from all employers employing persons owing delinquent

4

earned income taxes or having in possession unpaid earned income

5

belonging to any person or persons owing delinquent earned

6

income taxes on the presentation of a written notice and demand

7

certifying that the information contained in the notice and

8

demand is true and correct and containing the name of the

9

taxpayer and the amount of tax due.

10

(b)  Response to notice.--On the presentation of the written

11

notice and demand, the employer shall deduct from the earned

12

income of the employees then owing, or thereafter due, a sum

13

sufficient to pay the amount of the delinquent earned income

14

taxes, interest, penalty and costs shown on the written notice

15

or demand, and shall pay the same to the tax officer by which

16

the delinquent tax was levied within 60 days after the notice

17

was given.

18

(c)  Limitation on deduction.--No more than 10% of the

19

compensation of the delinquent taxpayer may be deducted at any

20

one time for delinquent earned income taxes, penalty, interest

21

and costs.

22

(d)  Deduction for costs.--The employer shall be entitled to

23

deduct from the moneys collected from each employee the costs

24

incurred from the extra bookkeeping necessary to record the

25

transactions, not exceeding 2% of the amount collected and paid

26

over to the tax officer.

27

(e)  Forfeiture.--If the employer fails to deduct the amount

28

of such taxes or to pay the same over to the tax officer, less

29

the amount deducted under subsection (d), within the time

30

required by this section, the employer shall forfeit and pay the

- 31 -

 


1

amount of the tax for those taxpayers whose taxes are not

2

withheld and paid over, or that are withheld and not paid over

3

together with a penalty of 10%, to be recovered by a civil

4

action instituted by the tax officer, as debts of like amount

5

are now by law recoverable, except that the person shall not

6

have the benefit of any exemption law or stay of execution.

7

(f)  Collection rights preserved.--Nothing in this section

8

shall be deemed to affect or impair the right of any school

9

district or the tax officer to pursue and collect delinquent

10

taxes validly imposed prior to the effective date of this

11

section.

12

Section 511.  Collection of delinquent taxes from Commonwealth.

13

(a)  General rule.--On presentation of a written notice and

14

demand under oath to the State Treasurer or any other fiscal

15

officer of the Commonwealth, or its boards, authorities,

16

agencies or commissions, the treasurer or officer shall deduct

17

from the compensation then owing a sum sufficient to pay the

18

amount of the delinquent earned income taxes, interest, penalty

19

and costs shown on the written notice. The same shall be paid to

20

the tax officer within 60 days after the notice is given.

21

(b)  Limitation on deduction.--No more than 10% of the

22

compensation of the delinquent taxpayer may be deducted at any

23

one time for delinquent earned income taxes, interest, penalty

24

and costs.

25

(c)  Collection rights preserved.--Nothing in this section

26

shall be deemed to affect or impair the right of a school

27

district or the tax officer to pursue and collect delinquent

28

taxes validly imposed prior to the effective date of this

29

section.

30

Section 512.  Notice to taxpayer.

- 32 -

 


1

The tax officer shall, at least 15 days prior to the

2

presentation of a written notice and demand under section 510 or

3

511, notify the taxpayer owing the delinquent tax by registered

4

mail that a written notice and demand shall be presented to the

5

taxpayer's employer unless such tax is paid. The return receipt

6

card for registered mail shall be marked delivered to addressee

7

only, and the cost of notification by registered mail shall be

8

included in the costs for collecting taxes.

9

Section 513.  Collection of taxes by suit.

10

(a)  Power to collect.--

11

(1)  Each school district and the tax officer shall have

12

power to collect unpaid taxes from taxpayers and employers

13

owing such taxes by a civil action or other appropriate

14

remedy.

15

(2)  On judgment, execution may be issued without any

16

stay or benefit of any exemption law.

17

(3)  The power to collect unpaid taxes under the

18

provisions of this section shall not be affected by the fact

19

that such taxes have been entered as liens in the office of

20

the prothonotary or the fact that the property against which

21

they were levied has been returned to the county

22

commissioners for taxes for prior years.

23

(b)  Limitation of actions.--A suit brought to recover the

24

taxes under subsection (a) shall be instituted within three

25

years after the tax is due or within three years after a

26

declaration or return has been filed, whichever date is later,

27

except in the following cases:

28

(1)  If no declaration or return was filed by any person,

29

although a declaration or return was required to be filed

30

under provisions of the ordinance, there shall be no

- 33 -

 


1

limitation.

2

(2)  If an examination of the declaration or return filed

3

by any person, or of other evidence relating to the

4

declaration or return in the possession of the tax officer,

5

reveals a fraudulent evasion of taxes, there shall be no

6

limitation.

7

(3)  If there is a substantial understatement of tax

8

liability of 25% or more and no fraud, suit shall be

9

instituted within six years.

10

(4)  If a person has deducted taxes under the provisions

11

of the resolution and has failed to pay the amounts so

12

deducted to the tax officer, or if any person has willfully

13

failed or omitted to make the deductions required by this

14

section, there shall be no limitation.

15

(c)  Procedures.--The tax officer shall establish the

16

procedures for collecting the earned income tax and paying the

17

full amount collected over to the school district on a quarterly

18

basis.

19

Section 514.  Interest and penalties.

20

(a)  General rule.--If for any reason the tax is not paid

21

when due, interest at the annual rate of 6% on the amount of the

22

tax, and an additional penalty of .5% of the amount of the

23

unpaid tax for each month or fraction thereof during which the

24

tax remains unpaid, shall be added and collected. Where suit is

25

brought for the recovery of such tax, the person liable therefor

26

shall, in addition, be liable for the costs of collection and

27

the interest and penalties herein imposed.

28

(b)  One-time waiver of interest authorized.--

29

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a),

30

the school district may, by resolution, establish a one-time

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1

period during which interest or interest and penalties that

2

would otherwise be imposed for the nonreporting or

3

underreporting of earned income tax liabilities or for the

4

nonpayment of earned income taxes previously imposed and due

5

shall be waived in total or in part if the taxpayer

6

voluntarily files delinquent returns and pays the taxes in

7

full during the period so established.

8

(2)  Each school district may adopt regulations to

9

implement the provisions of this subsection.

10

(c)  Proceedings.--The provisions of subsection (b) shall not

11

affect or terminate any petitions, investigations, prosecutions

12

or other proceedings pending on the effective date of this

13

section, or prevent the commencement or further prosecution of

14

any proceedings by the proper authorities for violations of this

15

act. No proceedings shall, however, be commenced on the basis of

16

delinquent returns filed pursuant to subsection (b) if the

17

returns are determined to be substantially true and correct and

18

the taxes are paid in full within the prescribed time.

19

Section 515.  Fines and penalties for violation of resolutions.

20

(a)  Conduct prohibited.--

21

(1)  Any person who fails, neglects or refuses to make

22

any declaration or return required by the resolution, any

23

employer who fails, neglects or refuses to register or to pay

24

the tax deducted from its employees, or fails, neglects or

25

refuses to deduct or withhold the tax from its employees, any

26

person who refuses to permit the officer or any agent

27

designated by that officer to examine the person's books,

28

records and papers, and any person who knowingly makes any

29

incomplete, false or fraudulent return, or attempts to do

30

anything whatsoever to avoid the full disclosure of the

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1

amount of the person's earned income in order to avoid the

2

payment of the whole or any part of the tax imposed by the

3

resolution, shall, upon conviction thereof, in any county in

4

which the school district imposing the tax is located be

5

sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500 for each

6

offense and costs and, in default of payment of the fines and

7

costs, to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 30 days.

8

(2)  Any person who divulges any information which is

9

confidential under the provisions of the resolution shall,

10

upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not

11

more than $500 for each offense and costs and, in default of

12

payment of said fines and costs, to be imprisoned for a

13

period not exceeding 30 days.

14

(b)  Cumulative penalties.--The penalties imposed under this

15

section shall be in addition to any other penalty imposed by any

16

other section of the resolution.

17

(c)  Defense unavailable.--The failure of any person to

18

receive or procure forms required for making the declaration or

19

returns required by the resolution shall not excuse the person

20

from making the declaration or return.

21

Section 516.  Collection at source.

22

(a)  Duty of employers to register.--Every employer having an

23

office, factory, workshop, branch, warehouse or other place of

24

business within the school district imposing a tax on earned

25

income within the taxing district who employs one or more

26

persons, other than domestic servants, for a salary, wage,

27

commission or other compensation, who has not previously

28

registered shall, within 15 days after becoming an employer,

29

register with the tax officer his name and address and such

30

other information as the tax officer may require.

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1

(b)  Duty to deduct tax.--

2

(1)  Every employer having an office, factory, workshop,

3

branch, warehouse or other place of business within the

4

school district imposing a tax on earned income who employs

5

one or more persons, other than domestic servants, for a

6

salary, wage, commission or other compensation, shall deduct

7

at the time of payment thereof, the tax imposed pursuant to

8

this chapter on the earned income due to his employee or

9

employees, and shall, on or before April 30 of the current

10

year, July 31 of the current year, October 31 of the current

11

year and January 31 of the succeeding year, file a return and

12

pay to the tax officer the amount of taxes deducted during

13

the preceding three-month periods ending March 31 of the

14

current year, June 30 of the current year, September 30 of

15

the current year and December 31 of the current year,

16

respectively.

17

(2)  Unless otherwise agreed upon between the tax officer

18

and employer, the return shall show the name and Social

19

Security number of each employee, the earned income of the

20

employee during the preceding three-month period, the tax

21

deducted from the compensation, the school district imposing

22

the tax upon the employee, the total earned income of all

23

employees during the preceding three-month period and the

24

total tax deducted from the compensation and paid with the

25

return.

26

(3)  Any employer that for two of the preceding four

27

quarterly periods has failed to deduct the proper tax, or any

28

part thereof, or has failed to pay over the proper amount of

29

tax to the school district, may be required by the tax

30

officer to file his return and pay the tax monthly. In such

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1

cases, payments of tax shall be made to the tax officer on or

2

before the last day of the month succeeding the month for

3

which the tax was withheld.

4

(c)  Duty to file annual return.--On or before February 28 of

5

the succeeding year, every employer shall file with the tax

6

officer:

7

(1)  An annual return showing the total amount of earned

8

income paid, the total amount of tax deducted and the total

9

amount of tax paid to the tax officer for the period

10

beginning January 1 of the current year and ending December

11

31 of the current year.

12

(2)  A return withholding statement for each employee

13

employed during all or any part of the period beginning

14

January 1 of the current year and ending December 31 of the

15

current year, setting forth the employee's name, address and

16

Social Security number, the amount of earned income paid to

17

the employee during the period, the amount of tax deducted,

18

the school district imposing the tax upon the employees and

19

the amount of tax paid to the tax officer. Every employer

20

shall furnish two copies of the individual return to the

21

employee for whom it is filed.

22

(d)  Discontinued businesses.--Every employer who

23

discontinues business prior to December 31 of the current year

24

shall, within 30 days after the discontinuance of business, file

25

the returns and withholding statements required by this section

26

and pay the tax due.

27

(e)  Liability of employers.--Every employer who willfully or

28

negligently fails or omits to make the deductions required by

29

this section shall be liable for payment of the taxes which he

30

was required to withhold to the extent that such taxes have not

- 38 -

 


1

been recovered from the employee.

2

(f)  Liability of employees.--The failure or omission of any

3

employer to make the deductions required by this section shall

4

not relieve any employee from the payment of the tax or from

5

complying with the requirements of the ordinance or resolution

6

relating to the filing of declarations and returns.

7

CHAPTER 7

8

SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE

9

STABILIZATION OF EDUCATION FUNDING

10

SUBCHAPTER A

11

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

12

Section 701.  Scope.

13

The tax provided for under this chapter shall be known as the

14

Sales and Use Tax for the Stabilization of Education Funding,

15

which shall be a replacement for the sales and use tax

16

authorized under Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 and

17

that is repealed by this act.

18

Section 701.1.  Definitions.

19

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

20

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

21

context clearly indicates otherwise:

22

(a)  "Soft drinks."

23

(1)  All nonalcoholic beverages, whether carbonated or

24

not, such as soda water, ginger ale, Coca Cola, lime cola,

25

Pepsi Cola, Dr Pepper, fruit juice when plain or carbonated

26

water, flavoring or syrup is added, carbonated water,

27

orangeade, lemonade, root beer or any and all preparations,

28

commonly referred to as soft drinks, of whatsoever kind, and

29

are further described as including any and all beverages,

30

commonly referred to as soft drinks, which are made with or

- 39 -

 


1

without the use of any syrup.

2

(2)  The term does not include natural fruit or vegetable

3

juices or their concentrates, or noncarbonated fruit juice

4

drinks containing not less than 25% by volume of natural

5

fruit juices or of fruit juice which has been reconstituted

6

to its original state, or natural concentrated fruit or

7

vegetable juices reconstituted to their original state,

8

whether any of the natural juices are frozen or unfrozen,

9

sweetened or unsweetened, seasoned with salt or spice or

10

unseasoned. The term also does not include coffee, coffee

11

substitutes, tea, cocoa, natural fluid milk or noncarbonated

12

drinks made from milk derivatives.

13

(b)  "Maintaining a place of business in this Commonwealth."

14

(1)  Having, maintaining or using within this

15

Commonwealth, either directly or through a subsidiary,

16

representative or an agent, an office, distribution house,

17

sales house, warehouse, service enterprise or other place of

18

business; or any agent of general or restricted authority, or

19

representative, irrespective of whether the place of

20

business, representative or agent is located in this

21

Commonwealth, permanently or temporarily, or whether the

22

person or subsidiary maintaining the place of business,

23

representative or agent is authorized to do business within

24

this Commonwealth.

25

(2)  Engaging in any activity as a business within this

26

Commonwealth by any person, either directly or through a

27

subsidiary, representative or an agent, in connection with

28

the lease, sale or delivery of tangible personal property or

29

the performance of services thereon for use, storage or

30

consumption or in connection with the sale or delivery for

- 40 -

 


1

use of the services described in subclauses (11) through (18)

2

of clause (k) of this section, including, but not limited to,

3

having, maintaining or using any office, distribution house,

4

sales house, warehouse or other place of business, any stock

5

of goods or any solicitor, canvasser, salesman,

6

representative or agent under its authority, at its direction

7

or with its permission, regardless of whether the person or

8

subsidiary is authorized to do business in this Commonwealth.

9

(3)  Regularly or substantially soliciting orders within

10

this Commonwealth in connection with the lease, sale or

11

delivery of tangible personal property to or the performance

12

thereon of services or in connection with the sale or

13

delivery of the services described in subclauses (11) through

14

(18) of clause (k) of this section for residents of this

15

Commonwealth by means of catalogs or other advertising,

16

whether the orders are accepted within or without this

17

Commonwealth.

18

(3.1)  Entering this Commonwealth by any person to

19

provide assembly, service or repair of tangible personal

20

property, either directly or through a subsidiary,

21

representative or an agent.

22

(3.2)  Delivering tangible personal property to locations

23

within this Commonwealth if the delivery includes the

24

unpacking, positioning, placing or assembling of the tangible

25

personal property.

26

(3.3)  Having any contact within this Commonwealth which

27

would allow the Commonwealth to require a person to collect

28

and remit tax under the Constitution of the United States.

29

(3.4)  Providing a customer's mobile telecommunications

30

service deemed to be provided by the customer's home service

- 41 -

 


1

provider under the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act (4

2

U.S.C. § 116). For purposes of this clause, words and phrases

3

used in this clause shall have the meanings given to them in

4

the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act.

5

(4)  The term does not include:

6

(i)  Owning or leasing of tangible or intangible

7

property by a person who has contracted with an

8

unaffiliated commercial printer for printing, provided

9

that:

10

(A)  the property is for use by the commercial

11

printer; and

12

(B)  the property is located at the Pennsylvania

13

premises of the commercial printer.

14

(ii)  Visits by a person's employees or agents to the

15

premises in this Commonwealth of an unaffiliated

16

commercial printer with whom the person has contracted

17

for printing in connection with said contract.

18

(b.1)  "Service performed in this Commonwealth."

19

A service performed:

20

(1)  completely in this Commonwealth;

21

(2)  partially in this Commonwealth and partially outside

22

this Commonwealth, when the recipient or user of the service

23

is located in this Commonwealth; or

24

(3)  partially in this Commonwealth and partially outside

25

this Commonwealth, when the recipient or user of the service

26

is not located in this Commonwealth, but only to the extent

27

of those services actually performed in this Commonwealth.

28

The place of performance need not be determined if the recipient

29

or user of the service is located in this Commonwealth.

30

A service performed partially in this Commonwealth and partially

- 42 -

 


1

outside this Commonwealth shall be presumed to have been

2

performed completely in this Commonwealth unless the taxpayer

3

can show the place of performance by clear and convincing

4

evidence. With respect to interstate telecommunications

5

services, only services for interstate telecommunications which

6

originate or are terminated in this Commonwealth and which are

7

billed and charged to a service address in this Commonwealth

8

shall be presumed to have been performed completely in this

9

Commonwealth and shall be subject to tax.

10

(c)  "Manufacture."  The performance of manufacturing,

11

fabricating, compounding, processing or other operations,

12

engaged in as a business, which place any tangible personal

13

property in a form, composition or character different from that

14

in which it is acquired whether for sale or use by the

15

manufacturer, and shall include, but not be limited to:

16

(1)  Every operation commencing with the first production

17

stage and ending with the completion of tangible personal

18

property having the physical qualities, including packaging,

19

if any, passing to the ultimate consumer, which it has when

20

transferred by the manufacturer to another. For purposes of

21

this definition, "operation" includes clean rooms and their

22

component systems, including: environmental control systems,

23

antistatic vertical walls and manufacturing platforms and

24

floors which are independent of the real estate; process

25

piping systems; specialized lighting systems; deionized water

26

systems; process vacuum and compressed air systems; process

27

and specialty gases; and alarm or warning devices

28

specifically designed to warn of threats to the integrity of

29

the product or people. For purposes of this definition, a

30

"clean room" is a location with a self-contained, sealed

- 43 -

 


1

environment with a controlled, closed air system independent

2

from the facility's general environmental control system.

3

(2)  The publishing of books, newspapers, magazines and

4

other periodicals and printing.

5

(3)  Refining, blasting, exploring, mining and quarrying

6

for, or otherwise extracting from the earth or from waste or

7

stock piles or from pits or banks any natural resources,

8

minerals and mineral aggregates including blast furnace slag.

9

(4)  Building, rebuilding, repairing and making additions

10

to, or replacements in or upon vessels designed for

11

commercial use of registered tonnage of 50 tons or more when

12

produced on special order of the purchaser, or when rebuilt,

13

repaired or enlarged, or when replacements are made upon

14

order of or for the account of the owner.

15

(5)  Research having as its objective the production of a

16

new or an improved:

17

(i)  product or utility service; or

18

(ii)  method of producing a product or utility

19

service,

20

but in either case not including market research or research

21

having as its objective the improvement of administrative

22

efficiency.

23

(6)  Remanufacture for wholesale distribution by a

24

remanufacturer of motor vehicle parts from used parts

25

acquired in bulk by the remanufacturer using an assembly line

26

process which involves the complete disassembly of such parts

27

and integration of the components of such parts with other

28

used or new components of parts, including the salvaging,

29

recycling or reclaiming of used parts by the remanufacturer.

30

(7)  Remanufacture or retrofit by a manufacturer or

- 44 -

 


1

remanufacturer of aircraft, armored vehicles, other defense-

2

related vehicles having a finished value of at least $50,000.

3

Remanufacture or retrofit involves the disassembly of such

4

aircraft, vehicles, parts or components, including electric

5

or electronic components, the integration of those parts and

6

components with other used or new parts or components,

7

including the salvaging, recycling or reclaiming of the used

8

parts or components and the assembly of the new or used

9

aircraft, vehicles, parts or components. The term does not

10

include constructing, altering, servicing, repairing or

11

improving real estate or repairing, servicing or installing

12

tangible personal property, nor the cooking, freezing or

13

baking of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fish, seafood,

14

meats, poultry or bakery products. For purposes of this

15

clause, the following terms or phrases have the following

16

meanings:

17

(i)  "aircraft" means fixed-wing aircraft,

18

helicopters, powered aircraft, tilt-rotor or tilt-wing

19

aircraft, unmanned aircraft and gliders;

20

(ii)  "armored vehicles" means tanks, armed personnel

21

carriers and all other armed track or semitrack vehicles;

22

and

23

(iii)  "other defense-related vehicles" means trucks,

24

truck-tractors, trailers, jeeps and other utility

25

vehicles, including any unmanned vehicles.

26

(c.1)  "Blasting."  The use of any combustible or explosive

27

composition in the removal of material resources, minerals and

28

mineral aggregates from the earth including the separation of

29

the dirt, waste and refuse in which they are found.

30

(d)  "Processing."  The performance of the following

- 45 -

 


1

activities when engaged in as a business enterprise:

2

(1)  The filtering or heating of honey, the cooking,

3

baking or freezing of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fish,

4

seafood, meats, poultry or bakery products, when the person

5

engaged in the business packages the property in sealed

6

containers for wholesale distribution.

7

(1.1)  The processing of fruits or vegetables by

8

cleaning, cutting, coring, peeling or chopping and treating

9

to preserve, sterilize or purify and substantially extend the

10

useful shelf life of the fruits or vegetables, when the

11

person engaged in the activity packages the property in

12

sealed containers for wholesale distribution.

13

(2)  The scouring, carbonizing, cording, combing,

14

throwing, twisting or winding of natural or synthetic fibers,

15

or the spinning, bleaching, dyeing, printing or finishing of

16

yarns or fabrics, when the activities are performed prior to

17

sale to the ultimate consumer.

18

(3)  The electroplating, galvanizing, enameling,

19

anodizing, coloring, finishing, impregnating or heat treating

20

of metals or plastics for sale or in the process of

21

manufacturing.

22

(3.1)  The blanking, shearing, leveling, slitting or

23

burning of metals for sale to or use by a manufacturer or

24

processor.

25

(4)  The rolling, drawing or extruding of ferrous and

26

nonferrous metals.

27

(5)  The fabrication for sale of ornamental or structural

28

metal or of metal stairs, staircases, gratings, fire escapes

29

or railings, not including fabrication work done at the

30

construction site.

- 46 -

 


1

(6)  The preparation of animal feed or poultry feed for

2

sale.

3

(7)  The production, processing and bottling of

4

nonalcoholic beverages for wholesale distribution.

5

(8)  The operation of a saw mill or planing mill for the

6

production of lumber or lumber products for sale. The

7

operation of a saw mill or planing mill begins with the

8

unloading by the operator of the saw mill or planing mill of

9

logs, timber, pulpwood or other forms of wood material to be

10

used in the saw mill or planing mill.

11

(9)  The milling for sale of flour or meal from grains.

12

(9.1)  The aging, stripping, conditioning, crushing and

13

blending of tobacco leaves for use as cigar filler or as

14

components of smokeless tobacco products for sale to

15

manufacturers of tobacco products.

16

(10)  The slaughtering and dressing of animals for meat

17

to be sold or to be used in preparing meat products for sale,

18

and the preparation of meat products including lard, tallow,

19

grease, cooking and inedible oils for wholesale distribution.

20

(11)  The processing of used lubricating oils.

21

(12)  The broadcasting of radio and television programs

22

of licensed commercial or educational stations.

23

(13)  The cooking or baking of bread, pastries, cakes,

24

cookies, muffins and donuts when the person engaged in the

25

activity sells the items at retail at locations that do not

26

constitute an establishment from which ready-to-eat food and

27

beverages are sold. For purposes of this clause, a bakery, a

28

pastry shop and a donut shop shall not be considered an

29

establishment from which ready-to-eat food and beverages are

30

sold.

- 47 -

 


1

(14)  The cleaning and roasting and the blending,

2

grinding or packaging for sale of coffee from green coffee

3

beans or the production of coffee extract.

4

(15)  The preparation of dry or liquid fertilizer for

5

sale.

6

(16)  The production, processing and packaging of ice for

7

wholesale distribution.

8

(17)  The producing of mobile telecommunications

9

services.

10

(e)  "Person."  Any natural person, association, fiduciary,

11

partnership, corporation or other entity, including the

12

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its political subdivisions and

13

instrumentalities and public authorities. Whenever used in

14

prescribing and imposing a penalty or imposing a fine or

15

imprisonment, or both, the term as applied to an association,

16

includes the members of the association and, as applied to a

17

corporation, the officers of the corporation.

18

(f)  "Purchase at retail."

19

(1)  The acquisition for a consideration of the

20

ownership, custody or possession of tangible personal

21

property other than for resale by the person acquiring the

22

same when the acquisition is made for the purpose of

23

consumption or use, whether the acquisition is absolute or

24

conditional, and by any means it is effected.

25

(2)  The acquisition of a license to use or consume, and

26

the rental or lease of tangible personal property, other than

27

for resale regardless of the period of time the lessee has

28

possession or custody of the property.

29

(3)  The obtaining for a consideration of those services

30

described in subclauses (2), (3) and (4) of clause (k) of

- 48 -

 


1

this section other than for resale.

2

(4)  A retention after March 7, 1956, of possession,

3

custody or a license to use or consume pursuant to a rental

4

contract or other lease arrangement (other than as security)

5

other than for resale.

6

(5)  The obtaining for a consideration of those services

7

described in subclauses (11) through (18) of clause (k) of

8

this section.

9

The term, with respect to liquor and malt or brewed beverages,

10

includes the purchase of liquor from any Pennsylvania Liquor

11

Store by any person for any purpose, and the purchase of malt or

12

brewed beverages from a manufacturer of malt or brewed

13

beverages, distributor or importing distributor by any person

14

for any purpose, except purchases from a manufacturer of malt or

15

brewed beverages by a distributor or importing distributor or

16

purchases from an importing distributor by a distributor within

17

the meaning of the Liquor Code. The term does not include any

18

purchase of malt or brewed beverages from a retail dispenser or

19

any purchase of liquor or malt or brewed beverages from a person

20

holding a retail liquor license within the meaning of and

21

pursuant to the provisions of the Liquor Code, but includes any

22

purchase or acquisition of liquor or malt or brewed beverages

23

other than pursuant to the provisions of the Liquor Code.

24

(g)  "Purchase price."

25

(1)  The total value of anything paid or delivered, or

26

promised to be paid or delivered, whether money or otherwise,

27

in complete performance of a sale at retail or purchase at

28

retail, without any deduction on account of the cost or value

29

of the property sold, cost or value of transportation, cost

30

or value of labor or service, interest or discount paid or

- 49 -

 


1

allowed after the sale is consummated, any other taxes

2

imposed by the Commonwealth or any other expense except that

3

there shall be excluded any gratuity or separately stated

4

deposit charge for returnable containers.

5

(2)  The value of any tangible personal property actually

6

taken in trade or exchange in lieu of the whole or any part

7

of the purchase price shall be deducted from the purchase

8

price. For the purpose of this clause, the amount allowed by

9

reason of tangible personal property actually taken in trade

10

or exchange shall be considered the value of such property.

11

(3)  (i)  In determining the purchase price on the sale

12

or use of taxable tangible personal property or a service

13

where, because of affiliation of interests between the

14

vendor and purchaser, or irrespective of any such

15

affiliation, if for any other reason the purchase price

16

declared by the vendor or taxpayer on the taxable sale or

17

use of such tangible personal property or service is, in

18

the opinion of the department, not indicative of the true

19

value of the article or service or the fair price

20

thereof, the department shall, pursuant to uniform and

21

equitable rules, determine the amount of constructive

22

purchase price on the basis of which the tax shall be

23

computed and levied. The rules shall provide for a

24

constructive amount of purchase price for each sale or

25

use which would naturally and fairly be charged in an

26

arms-length transaction in which the element of common

27

interest between the vendor or purchaser is absent or, if

28

no common interest exists, any other element causing a

29

distortion of the price or value is likewise absent.

30

(ii)  For the purpose of this clause where a taxable

- 50 -

 


1

sale or purchase at retail transaction occurs between a

2

parent and a subsidiary, affiliate or controlled

3

corporation of such parent corporation, there shall be a

4

rebuttable presumption, that because of the common

5

interest, the transaction was not at arms-length.

6

(4)  Where there is a transfer or retention of possession

7

or custody, whether it is termed a rental, lease, service or

8

otherwise, of tangible personal property including, but not

9

limited to, linens, aprons, motor vehicles, trailers, tires,

10

industrial office and construction equipment, and business

11

machines the full consideration paid or delivered to the

12

vendor or lessor shall be considered the purchase price, even

13

though the consideration is separately stated and designated

14

as payment for processing, laundering, service, maintenance,

15

insurance, repairs, depreciation or otherwise. Where the

16

vendor or lessor supplies or provides an employee to operate

17

the tangible personal property, the value of the labor

18

supplied may be excluded and shall not be considered as part

19

of the purchase price if separately stated. There shall also

20

be included as part of the purchase price the value of

21

anything paid or delivered, or promised to be paid or

22

delivered by a lessee, whether money or otherwise, to any

23

person other than the vendor or lessor by reason of the

24

maintenance, insurance or repair of the tangible personal

25

property which a lessee has the possession or custody of

26

under a rental contract or lease arrangement.

27

(5)  (i)  With respect to the tax imposed by section

28

702(a)(2), on any tangible personal property originally

29

purchased by the user of the property six months or

30

longer prior to the first taxable use of the property

- 51 -

 


1

within this Commonwealth, the user may elect to pay tax

2

on a substituted base determined by considering the

3

purchase price of the property for tax purposes to be

4

equal to the prevailing market price of similar tangible

5

personal property at the time and place of the first use

6

within this Commonwealth.

7

(ii)  The election must be made at the time of filing

8

a tax return with the department and reporting the tax

9

liability and paying the proper tax due plus all accrued

10

penalties and interest, if any, within six months of the

11

due date of such report and payment, as provided for by

12

section 717(a) and (c).

13

(6)  The purchase price of employment agency services and

14

help supply services shall be the service fee paid by the

15

purchaser to the vendor or supplying entity. The term

16

"service fee," as used in this subclause, means the total

17

charge or fee of the vendor or supplying entity minus the

18

costs of the supplied employee which costs are wages,

19

salaries, bonuses and commissions, employment benefits,

20

expense reimbursements and payroll and withholding taxes, to

21

the extent that these costs are specifically itemized or that

22

these costs in aggregate are stated in billings from the

23

vendor or supplying entity. To the extent that these costs

24

are not itemized or stated on the billings, then the service

25

fee shall be the total charge or fee of the vendor or

26

supplying entity.

27

(7)  Unless the vendor separately states that portion of

28

the billing which applies to premium cable service as defined

29

in clause (ll), the total bill for the provision of all cable

30

services shall be the purchase price.

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1

(8)  The purchase price of prebuilt housing shall be 60%

2

of the manufacturer's selling price, provided that a

3

manufacturer of prebuilt housing who precollects tax from a

4

prebuilt housing builder at the time of the sale to the

5

prebuilt housing builder shall have the option to collect tax

6

on 60% of the selling price or on 100% of the actual cost of

7

the supplies and materials used in the manufacture of the

8

prebuilt housing.

9

(h)  "Purchaser."  Any person who acquires, for a

10

consideration, the ownership, custody or possession by sale,

11

lease or otherwise of tangible personal property, or who obtains

12

services in exchange for a purchase price but not including an

13

employer who obtains services from his employees in exchange for

14

wages or salaries when such services are rendered in the

15

ordinary scope of their employment.

16

(i)  "Resale."

17

(1)  Any transfer of ownership, custody or possession of

18

tangible personal property for a consideration, including the

19

grant of a license to use or consume and transactions where

20

the possession of the property is transferred but where the

21

transferor retains title only as security for payment of the

22

selling price whether the transaction is designated as

23

bailment lease, conditional sale or otherwise.

24

(2)  The physical incorporation of tangible personal

25

property as an ingredient or constituent into other tangible

26

personal property, which is to be sold in the regular course

27

of business or the performance of those services described in

28

subclauses (2), (3) and (4) of clause (k) upon tangible

29

personal property which is to be sold in the regular course

30

of business or where the person incorporating the property

- 53 -

 


1

has undertaken at the time of purchase to cause it to be

2

transported in interstate commerce to a destination outside

3

this Commonwealth. The term includes telecommunications

4

services purchased by a cable operator or video programmer

5

that are used to transport or deliver cable or video

6

programming services which are sold in the regular course of

7

business.

8

(3)  The term also includes tangible personal property

9

purchased or having a situs within this Commonwealth solely

10

for the purpose of being processed, fabricated or

11

manufactured into, attached to or incorporated into tangible

12

personal property and thereafter transported outside this

13

Commonwealth for use exclusively outside this Commonwealth.

14

(4)  The term does not include any sale of malt or brewed

15

beverages by a retail dispenser, or any sale of liquor or

16

malt or brewed beverages by a person holding a retail liquor

17

license within the meaning of the act of April 12, 1951

18

(P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code.

19

(5)  The physical incorporation of tangible personal

20

property as an ingredient or constituent in the construction

21

of foundations for machinery or equipment the sale or use of

22

which is excluded from tax under the provisions of paragraphs

23

(A), (B), (C) and (D) of subclause (8) of clause (k) and

24

subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (B) of

25

subclause (4) of clause (o), whether the foundations at the

26

time of construction or transfer constitute tangible personal

27

property or real estate.

28

(j)  "Resident."

29

(1)  Any natural person:

30

(i)  who is domiciled in this Commonwealth; or

- 54 -

 


1

(ii)  who maintains a permanent place of abode within

2

this Commonwealth and spends in the aggregate more than

3

60 days of the year within this Commonwealth.

4

(2)  Any corporation:

5

(i)  incorporated under the laws of this

6

Commonwealth;

7

(ii)  authorized to do business or doing business

8

within this Commonwealth; or

9

(iii)  maintaining a place of business within this

10

Commonwealth.

11

(3)  Any association, fiduciary, partnership or other

12

entity:

13

(i)  domiciled in this Commonwealth;

14

(ii)  authorized to do business or doing business

15

within this Commonwealth; or

16

(iii)  maintaining a place of business within this

17

Commonwealth.

18

(k)  "Sale at retail."

19

(1)  Any transfer, for a consideration, of the ownership,

20

custody or possession of tangible personal property,

21

including the grant of a license to use or consume whether

22

the transfer is absolute or conditional and by any means the

23

transfer is effected.

24

(2)  The rendition of the service of printing or

25

imprinting of tangible personal property for a consideration

26

for persons who furnish, either directly or indirectly, the

27

materials used in the printing or imprinting.

28

(3)  The rendition for a consideration of the service of:

29

(i)  washing, cleaning, waxing, polishing or

30

lubricating of motor vehicles of another, regardless of

- 55 -

 


1

whether any tangible personal property is transferred in

2

conjunction with the activity; and

3

(ii)  inspecting motor vehicles pursuant to the

4

mandatory requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to

5

vehicles).

6

(4)  The rendition for a consideration of the service of

7

repairing, altering, mending, pressing, fitting, dyeing,

8

laundering, drycleaning or cleaning tangible personal

9

property other than wearing apparel or shoes, or applying or

10

installing tangible personal property as a repair or

11

replacement part of other tangible personal property other

12

than wearing apparel or shoes for a consideration, regardless

13

of whether the services are performed directly or by any

14

means other than by coin-operated self-service laundry

15

equipment for wearing apparel or household goods and whether

16

or not any tangible personal property is transferred in

17

conjunction with the activity, including such services as are

18

rendered in the construction, reconstruction, remodeling,

19

repair or maintenance of real estate.

20

(5)  (Reserved).

21

(6)  (Reserved).

22

(7)  (Reserved).

23

(8)  Any retention of possession, custody or a license to

24

use or consume tangible personal property or any further

25

obtaining of services described in subclauses (2), (3) and

26

(4) of this clause pursuant to a rental or service contract

27

or other arrangement (other than as security). The term does

28

not include:

29

(i)  any transfer of tangible personal property or

30

rendition of services for the purpose of resale; or

- 56 -

 


1

(ii)  the rendition of services or the transfer of

2

tangible personal property, including, but not limited

3

to, machinery and equipment and their parts and supplies

4

to be used or consumed by the purchaser directly in the

5

operations of:

6

(A)  The manufacture of tangible personal

7

property.

8

(B)  Farming, dairying, agriculture, horticulture

9

or floriculture when engaged in as a business

10

enterprise. The term "farming" includes the

11

propagation and raising of ranch raised fur-bearing

12

animals and the propagation of game birds for

13

commercial purposes by holders of propagation permits

14

issued under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) and the

15

propagation and raising of horses to be used

16

exclusively for commercial racing activities.

17

(C)  The producing, delivering or rendering of a

18

public utility service, or in constructing,

19

reconstructing, remodeling, repairing or maintaining

20

the facilities which are directly used in producing,

21

delivering or rendering the service.

22

(D)  Processing as defined in clause (d). The

23

exclusions provided in this paragraph or paragraph

24

(A), (B) or (C) do not apply to any vehicle required

25

registered under 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to vehicles),

26

except those vehicles used directly by a public

27

utility engaged in business as a common carrier; to

28

maintenance facilities; or to materials, supplies or

29

equipment to be used or consumed in the construction,

30

reconstruction, remodeling, repair or maintenance of

- 57 -

 


1

real estate other than directly used machinery,

2

equipment, parts or foundations that may be affixed

3

to such real estate. The exclusions provided in this

4

paragraph or paragraph (A), (B) or (C) do not apply

5

to tangible personal property or services to be used

6

or consumed in managerial sales or other

7

nonoperational activities, nor to the purchase or use

8

of tangible personal property or services by any

9

person other than the person directly using the same

10

in the operations described in this paragraph or

11

paragraph (A), (B) or (C).

12

The exclusion provided in paragraph (C) does not apply to:

13

(i)  construction materials, supplies or equipment

14

used to construct, reconstruct, remodel, repair or

15

maintain facilities not used directly by the purchaser in

16

the production, delivering or rendition of public utility

17

service;

18

(ii)  construction materials, supplies or equipment

19

used to construct, reconstruct, remodel, repair or

20

maintain a building, road or similar structure; or

21

(iii)  tools and equipment used but not installed in

22

the maintenance of facilities used directly in the

23

production, delivering or rendition of a public utility

24

service. The exclusions provided in paragraphs (A), (B),

25

(C) and (D) do not apply to the services enumerated in

26

clauses (k)(11) through (18) and (w) through (kk), except

27

that the exclusion provided in this subclause for

28

farming, dairying and agriculture shall apply to the

29

service enumerated in clause (z).

30

(9)  Where tangible personal property or services are

- 58 -

 


1

utilized for purposes constituting a sale at retail and for

2

purposes excluded from the definition of "sale at retail," it

3

shall be presumed that the tangible personal property or

4

services are utilized for purposes constituting a sale at

5

retail and subject to tax unless the user proves to the

6

department that the predominant purposes for which such

7

tangible personal property or services are utilized do not

8

constitute a sale at retail.

9

(10)  The term, with respect to liquor and malt or brewed

10

beverages, includes the sale of liquor by any Pennsylvania

11

liquor store to any person for any purpose, and the sale of

12

malt or brewed beverages by a manufacturer of malt or brewed

13

beverages, distributor or importing distributor to any person

14

for any purpose, except sales by a manufacturer of malt or

15

brewed beverages to a distributor or importing distributor or

16

sales by an importing distributor to a distributor within the

17

meaning of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known

18

as the Liquor Code. The term does not include any sale of

19

malt or brewed beverages by a retail dispenser or any sale of

20

liquor or malt or brewed beverages by a person holding a

21

retail liquor license within the meaning of and pursuant to

22

the provisions of the Liquor Code, but shall include any sale

23

of liquor or malt or brewed beverages other than pursuant to

24

the provisions of the Liquor Code.

25

(11)  The rendition for a consideration of lobbying

26

services.

27

(12)  The rendition for a consideration of adjustment

28

services, collection services or credit reporting services.

29

(13)  The rendition for a consideration of secretarial or

30

editing services.

- 59 -

 


1

(14)  The rendition for a consideration of disinfecting

2

or pest control services, building maintenance or cleaning

3

services.

4

(15)  The rendition for a consideration of employment

5

agency services or help supply services.

6

(16)  (Reserved).

7

(17)  The rendition for a consideration of lawn care

8

service.

9

(18)  The rendition for a consideration of self-storage

10

service.

11

(19)  The rendition for a consideration of a mobile

12

telecommunications service.

13

(20)  Except as otherwise provided under section 704, the

14

rendition for a consideration of any service when the primary

15

objective of the purchaser is the receipt of any benefit of

16

the service performed, as distinguished from the receipt of

17

property. The following provisions shall apply:

18

(i)  In determining what is a service, the intended

19

use or stated objective of the contracting parties shall

20

not necessarily be controlling.

21

(ii)  Any service performed in this Commonwealth

22

shall be subject to the tax imposed under this chapter

23

unless specifically exempted in this chapter.

24

(iii)  With respect to services performed in this

25

Commonwealth for a recipient or user of the services

26

located in another state in which the services, had they

27

been performed in that state, would not be subject to a

28

sales or use tax under the laws of that state, then no

29

tax may be imposed under this chapter.

30

(iv)  The tax on the sale or use of services shall

- 60 -

 


1

become due at the time payment or other consideration is

2

made for the portion of services actually paid.

3

(l)  "Storage."  Any keeping or retention of tangible

4

personal property within this Commonwealth for any purpose

5

including the interim keeping, retaining or exercising any right

6

or power over such tangible personal property. This term is in

7

no way limited to the provision of self-storage service.

8

(m)  "Tangible personal property."  Corporeal personal

9

property including, but not limited to, goods, wares,

10

merchandise, steam and natural and manufactured and bottled gas

11

for non-residential use, electricity for non-residential use,

12

prepaid telecommunications, premium cable or premium video

13

programming service, spirituous or vinous liquor and malt or

14

brewed beverages and soft drinks, interstate telecommunications

15

service originating or terminating in this Commonwealth and

16

charged to a service address in this Commonwealth, intrastate

17

telecommunications service with the exception of:

18

(1)  Subscriber line charges and basic local telephone

19

service for residential use.

20

(2)  Charges for telephone calls paid for by inserting

21

money into a telephone accepting direct deposits of money to

22

operate, provided further, the service address of any

23

intrastate telecommunications service is deemed to be within

24

this Commonwealth or within a political subdivision,

25

regardless of how or where billed or paid.

26

In the case of any interstate or intrastate telecommunications

27

service, any charge paid through a credit or payment mechanism

28

which does not relate to a service address, such as a bank,

29

travel, credit or debit card, but not including prepaid

30

telecommunications, is deemed attributable to the address of

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1

origination of the telecommunications service.

2

(n)  "Taxpayer."  Any person required to pay or collect the

3

tax imposed by this chapter.

4

(o)  "Use."

5

(1)  The exercise of any right or power incidental to the

6

ownership, custody or possession of tangible personal

7

property and includes, but is not limited to, transportation,

8

storage or consumption.

9

(2)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the service of

10

printing or imprinting of tangible personal property when the

11

purchaser furnishes, either directly or indirectly, the

12

articles used in the printing or imprinting.

13

(3)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the services of:

14

(i)  washing, cleaning, waxing, polishing or

15

lubricating of motor vehicles regardless of whether any

16

tangible personal property is transferred to the

17

purchaser in conjunction with the services; and

18

(ii)  inspecting motor vehicles pursuant to the

19

mandatory requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to

20

vehicles).

21

(4)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the service of

22

repairing, altering, mending, pressing, fitting, dyeing,

23

laundering, drycleaning or cleaning tangible personal

24

property other than wearing apparel or shoes or applying or

25

installing tangible personal property as a repair or

26

replacement part of other tangible personal property,

27

including, but not limited to, wearing apparel or shoes,

28

regardless of whether the services are performed directly or

29

by any means other than by means of coin-operated self-

30

service laundry equipment for wearing apparel or household

- 62 -

 


1

goods, and regardless of whether any tangible personal

2

property is transferred to the purchaser in conjunction with

3

the activity. The term use does not include:

4

(A)  Any tangible personal property acquired and

5

kept, retained or over which power is exercised

6

within this Commonwealth on which the taxing of the

7

storage, use or other consumption thereof is

8

expressly prohibited by the Constitution of the

9

United States or which is excluded from tax under

10

other provisions of this chapter.

11

(B)  The use or consumption of tangible personal

12

property, including, but not limited to, machinery

13

and equipment and parts therefor, and supplies or the

14

obtaining of the services described in subclauses

15

(2), (3) and (4) of this clause directly in the

16

operations of:

17

(i)  The manufacture of tangible personal property.

18

(ii)  Farming, dairying, agriculture, horticulture or

19

floriculture when engaged in as a business enterprise.

20

The term includes the propagation and raising of ranch-

21

raised furbearing animals and the propagation of game

22

birds for commercial purposes by holders of propagation

23

permits issued under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) and

24

the propagation and raising of horses to be used

25

exclusively for commercial racing activities.

26

(iii)  The producing, delivering or rendering of a

27

public utility service, or in constructing,

28

reconstructing, remodeling, repairing or maintaining the

29

facilities which are directly used in producing,

30

delivering or rendering such service.

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1

(iv)  Processing as defined in subclause (d).

2

The exclusions provided in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii)

3

and (iv) do not apply to any vehicle required to be

4

registered under 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to vehicles) except

5

those vehicles directly used by a public utility engaged

6

in the business as a common carrier; to maintenance

7

facilities; or to materials, supplies or equipment to be

8

used or consumed in the construction, reconstruction,

9

remodeling, repair or maintenance of real estate other

10

than directly used machinery, equipment, parts or

11

foundations therefor that may be affixed to such real

12

estate. The exclusions provided in subparagraphs (i),

13

(ii), (iii) and this subparagraph do not apply to

14

tangible personal property or services to be used or

15

consumed in managerial sales or other nonoperational

16

activities, nor to the purchase or use of tangible

17

personal property or services by any person other than

18

the person directly using the same in the operations

19

described in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and this

20

subparagraph. The exclusion provided in subparagraph

21

(iii) does not apply to:

22

(A)  construction materials, supplies or

23

equipment used to construct, reconstruct, remodel,

24

repair or maintain facilities not used directly by

25

the purchaser in the production, delivering or

26

rendition of public utility service; or

27

(B)  tools and equipment used but not installed

28

in the maintenance of facilities used directly in the

29

production, delivering or rendition of a public

30

utility service.

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1

The exclusion provided in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii)

2

and this subparagraph does not apply to the services

3

enumerated in clauses (9) through (16) and (w) through

4

(kk), except that the exclusion provided in subparagraph

5

(ii) for farming, dairying and agriculture shall apply to

6

the service enumerated in clause (z).

7

(5)  Where tangible personal property or services are

8

utilized for purposes constituting a use, and for purposes

9

excluded from the definition of "use," it shall be presumed

10

that the property or services are utilized for purposes

11

constituting a sale at retail and subject to tax unless the

12

user proves to the department that the predominant purposes

13

for which the property or services are utilized do not

14

constitute a sale at retail.

15

(6)  The term, with respect to liquor and malt or brewed

16

beverages, includes the purchase of liquor from any

17

Pennsylvania Liquor Store by any person for any purpose and

18

the purchase of malt or brewed beverages from a manufacturer

19

of malt or brewed beverages, distributor or importing

20

distributor by any person for any purpose, except purchases

21

from a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages by a

22

distributor or importing distributor, or purchases from an

23

importing distributor by a distributor within the meaning of

24

the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the

25

Liquor Code. The term does not include any purchase of malt

26

or brewed beverages from a retail dispenser or any purchase

27

of liquor or malt or brewed beverages from a person holding a

28

retail liquor license within the meaning of and pursuant to

29

the provisions of the Liquor Code, but includes the exercise

30

of any right or power incidental to the ownership, custody or

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1

possession of liquor or malt or brewed beverages obtained by

2

the person exercising the right or power in any manner other

3

than pursuant to the provisions of the Liquor Code.

4

(7)  The use of tangible personal property purchased at

5

retail on which the services described in subclauses (2), (3)

6

and (4) of this clause have been performed shall be deemed to

7

be a use of said services by the person using the property.

8

(8)  (Reserved).

9

(9)  The obtaining by the purchaser of lobbying services.

10

(10)  The obtaining by the purchaser of adjustment

11

services, collection services or credit reporting services.

12

(11)  The obtaining by the purchaser of secretarial or

13

editing services.

14

(12)  The obtaining by the purchaser of disinfecting or

15

pest control services, building maintenance or cleaning

16

services.

17

(13)  The obtaining by the purchaser of employment agency

18

services or help supply services.

19

(14)  (Reserved).

20

(15)  The obtaining by the purchaser of lawn care

21

service.

22

(16)  The obtaining by the purchaser of self-storage

23

service.

24

(17)  The obtaining by a construction contractor of

25

tangible personal property or services provided to tangible

26

personal property which will be used pursuant to a

27

construction contract regardless of whether the tangible

28

personal property or services are transferred.

29

(18)  The obtaining of mobile telecommunications service

30

by a customer.

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1

(19)  Except as otherwise provided under section 704, the

2

obtaining by the purchaser of any service, not otherwise set

3

forth in this definition, when the primary objective of the

4

purchaser is the receipt of any benefit of the service

5

performed, as distinguished from the receipt of property. The

6

following provisions shall apply:

7

(i)  In determining what is a service, the intended

8

use or stated objective of the contracting parties shall

9

not necessarily be controlling.

10

(ii)  Any service performed in this Commonwealth

11

shall be subject to the tax imposed under this chapter

12

unless specifically exempted in this chapter.

13

(iii)  With respect to services performed in this

14

Commonwealth for a recipient or user of the services

15

located in another state in which the services, had they

16

been performed in that state, would not be subject to a

17

sales or use tax under the laws of that state, then no

18

tax may be imposed under this chapter.

19

(iv)  The tax on the sale or use of services shall

20

become due at the time payment or other consideration is

21

made for the portion of services actually paid.

22

(p)  "Vendor."  Any person maintaining a place of business in

23

this Commonwealth, selling or leasing tangible personal

24

property, or rendering services, the sale or use of which is

25

subject to the tax imposed by this chapter but not including any

26

employee who in the ordinary scope of employment renders

27

services to his employer in exchange for wages and salaries.

28

(q)  (Reserved).

29

(r)  "Gratuity."  Any amount paid or remitted for services

30

performed in conjunction with any sale of food or beverages, or

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1

hotel or motel accommodations which amount is in excess of the

2

charges and the tax for such food, beverages or accommodations

3

regardless of the method of billing or payment.

4

(s)  "Commercial aircraft operator."  A person, excluding a

5

scheduled airline who engages in any or all of the following:

6

charter of aircraft, leasing of aircraft, aircraft sales,

7

aircraft rental, flight instruction, air freight or any other

8

flight activities for compensation.

9

(t)  "Transient vendor."

10

(1)  Any person who:

11

(i)  brings into this Commonwealth, by automobile,

12

truck or other means of transportation, or purchases in

13

this Commonwealth tangible personal property the sale or

14

use of which is subject to the tax imposed by this

15

chapter or comes into this Commonwealth to perform

16

services the sale or use of which is subject to the tax

17

imposed by this chapter;

18

(ii)  offers or intends to offer the tangible

19

personal property or services for sale at retail within

20

this Commonwealth; and

21

(iii)  does not maintain an established office,

22

distribution house, saleshouse, warehouse, service

23

enterprise, residence from which business is conducted or

24

other place of business within this Commonwealth.

25

(2)  The term does not include a person who delivers

26

tangible personal property within this Commonwealth pursuant

27

to orders for the property which were solicited or placed by

28

mail or other means.

29

(3)  The term does not include a person who handcrafts

30

items for sale at special events, including, but not limited

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1

to, fairs, carnivals, art and craft shows and other festivals

2

and celebrations within this Commonwealth.

3

(u)  "Promoter."  A person who either, directly or

4

indirectly, rents, leases or otherwise operates or grants

5

permission to any person to use space at a show for the display

6

for sale or for the sale of tangible personal property or

7

services subject to tax under section 702.

8

(v)  "Show."  An event, the primary purpose of which involves

9

the display or exhibition of any tangible personal property or

10

services for sale, including, but not limited to, a flea market,

11

antique show, coin show, stamp show, comic book show, hobby

12

show, automobile show, fair or any similar show, whether held

13

regularly or of a temporary nature, at which more than one

14

vendor displays for sale or sells tangible personal property or

15

services subject to tax under section 702.

16

(w)  "Lobbying services."  Providing the services of a

17

lobbyist, as defined in the definition of "lobbyist" in 65

18

Pa.C.S. Ch. 13 (relating to lobby regulation and disclosures).

19

(x)  "Adjustment services, collection services or credit

20

reporting services."  Providing collection or adjustments of

21

accounts receivable or mercantile or consumer credit reporting,

22

including, but not limited to, services of the type provided by

23

adjustment bureaus or collection agencies, consumer or

24

mercantile credit reporting bureaus, credit bureaus or agencies,

25

credit clearinghouses or credit investigation services. The term

26

does not include providing credit card service with collection

27

by a central agency, providing debt counseling or adjustment

28

services to individuals or billing or collection services

29

provided by local exchange telephone companies.

30

(y)  "Secretarial or editing services."  Providing services

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1

which include, but are not limited to, editing, letter writing,

2

proofreading, resume writing, typing or word processing. The

3

term does not include court reporting and stenographic services.

4

(z)  "Disinfecting or pest control services."  Providing

5

disinfecting, termite control, insect control, rodent control or

6

other pest control services. The term includes, but is not

7

limited to, deodorant servicing of rest rooms, washroom

8

sanitation service, rest room cleaning service, extermination

9

service or fumigating service. As used in this clause, the term

10

"fumigating service" does not include the fumigation of

11

agricultural commodities or containers used for agricultural

12

commodities. As used in this clause, the term "insect control"

13

does not include the gypsy moth control spraying of trees which

14

are harvested for commercial purposes.

15

(aa)  "Building maintenance or cleaning services."  Providing

16

services which include, but are not limited to, janitorial, maid

17

or housekeeping service, office or interior building cleaning or

18

maintenance service, window cleaning service, floor waxing

19

service, lighting maintenance service such as bulb replacement,

20

cleaning, chimney cleaning service, acoustical tile cleaning

21

service, venetian blind cleaning, cleaning and maintenance of

22

telephone booths or cleaning and degreasing of service stations.

23

The term does not include: repairs on buildings and other

24

structures; the maintenance or repair of boilers, furnaces and

25

residential air conditioning equipment or their parts; the

26

painting, wallpapering or applying other like coverings to

27

interior walls, ceilings or floors; or the exterior painting of

28

buildings.

29

(bb)  "Employment agency services."  Providing employment

30

services to a prospective employer or employee other than

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1

employment services provided by theatrical employment agencies

2

and motion picture casting bureaus. The term includes, but is

3

not limited to, services of the type provided by employment

4

agencies, executive placing services and labor contractor

5

employment agencies other than farm labor.

6

(cc)  "Help supply services."  Providing temporary or

7

continuing help where the help supplied is on the payroll of the

8

supplying person or entity, but is under the supervision of the

9

individual or business to which help is furnished. The term

10

includes, but is not limited to, service of a type provided by

11

labor and manpower pools, employee leasing services, office help

12

supply services, temporary help services, usher services,

13

modeling services or fashion show model supply services. The

14

term does not include: providing farm labor services or human

15

health-related services, including nursing, home health care and

16

personal care. As used in this clause, "personal care" shall

17

include providing at least one of the following types of

18

assistance to persons with limited ability for self-care:

19

(1)  dressing, bathing or feeding;

20

(2)  supervising self-administered medication;

21

(3)  transferring a person to or from a bed or

22

wheelchair; or

23

(4)  routine housekeeping chores when provided in

24

conjunction with and supplied by the same provider of the

25

assistance listed in subclause (1), (2) or (3).

26

(dd)  (Reserved).

27

(ee)  (Reserved).

28

(ff)  (Reserved).

29

(gg)  (Reserved).

30

(hh)  (Reserved).

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1

(ii)  (Reserved).

2

(jj)  "Lawn care service."  Providing services for lawn

3

upkeep, including, but not limited to, fertilizing, lawn mowing,

4

shrubbery trimming or other lawn treatment services.

5

(kk)  "Self-storage service."  Providing a building, a room

6

in a building or a secured area within a building with separate

7

access provided for each purchaser of self-storage service,

8

primarily for the purpose of storing personal property. The term

9

does not include service involving:

10

(1)  safe deposit boxes by financial institutions;

11

(2)  storage in refrigerator or freezer units;

12

(3)  storage in commercial warehouses;

13

(4)  facilities for goods distribution; and

14

(5)  lockers in airports, bus stations, museums and other

15

public places.

16

(ll)  "Cable or video programming service."  Cable television

17

services, video programming services, community antenna

18

television services or any other distribution of television,

19

video, audio or radio services which is transmitted with or

20

without the use of wires to purchasers.

21

If a purchaser receives or agrees to receive cable or video

22

programming service, then the following charges are included in

23

the purchase price: charges for installation or repair of any

24

cable or video programming service, upgrade to include

25

additional premium cable or premium video programming service,

26

downgrade to exclude all or some premium cable or premium video

27

programming service, additional cable outlets in excess of ten

28

or any other charge or fee related to cable or video programming

29

services. The term does not apply to: transmissions by public

30

television, public radio services or official Federal, State or

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1

local government cable services; local origination programming

2

which provides a variety of public service programs unique to

3

the community, programming which provides coverage of public

4

affairs issues which are presented without commentary or

5

analysis, including United States Congressional proceedings, or

6

programming which is substantially related to religious

7

subjects; or subscriber charges for access to a video dial tone

8

system or charges by a common carrier to a video programmer for

9

the transport of video programming.

10

(mm)  (Reserved).

11

(nn)  "Construction contract."  A written or oral contract or

12

agreement for the construction, reconstruction, remodeling,

13

renovation or repair of real estate or a real estate structure.

14

The term shall not apply to services which are taxable under

15

clauses (k)(14) and (17) and (o)(12) and (15).

16

(oo)  "Construction contractor."  A person who performs an

17

activity pursuant to a construction contract, including a

18

subcontractor.

19

(pp)  "Building machinery and equipment."  Generation

20

equipment, storage equipment, conditioning equipment,

21

distribution equipment and termination equipment, limited to the

22

following:

23

(1)  air conditioning limited to heating, cooling,

24

purification, humidification, dehumidification and

25

ventilation;

26

(2)  electrical;

27

(3)  plumbing;

28

(4)  communications limited to voice, video, data, sound,

29

master clock and noise abatement;

30

(5)  alarms limited to fire, security and detection;

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1

(6)  control system limited to energy management, traffic

2

and parking lot and building access;

3

(7)  medical system limited to diagnosis and treatment

4

equipment, medical gas, nurse call and doctor paging;

5

(8)  laboratory system;

6

(9)  cathodic protection system; or

7

(10)  furniture, cabinetry and kitchen equipment.

8

The term includes boilers, chillers, air cleaners, humidifiers,

9

fans, switchgear, pumps, telephones, speakers, horns, motion

10

detectors, dampers, actuators, grills, registers, traffic

11

signals, sensors, card access devices, guardrails, medial

12

devices, floor troughs and grates and laundry equipment,

13

together with integral coverings and enclosures, regardless of

14

whether: the item constitutes a fixture or is otherwise affixed

15

to the real estate; damage would be done to the item or its

16

surroundings on removal; or the item is physically located

17

within a real estate structure. The term does not include

18

guardrail posts, pipes, fittings, pipe supports and hangers,

19

valves, underground tanks, wire, conduit, receptacle and

20

junction boxes, insulation, ductwork and coverings.

21

(qq)  "Real estate structure." A structure or item purchased

22

by a construction contractor pursuant to a construction contract

23

with:

24

(1)  a charitable organization, a volunteer firemen's

25

organization, a nonprofit educational institution or a

26

religious organization for religious purposes and which

27

qualifies as an institution of purely public charity under

28

the act of November 26, 1997 (P.L.508, No.55), known as the

29

Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act;

30

(2)  the United States; or

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1

(3)  the Commonwealth, its instrumentalities or political

2

subdivisions.

3

The term includes building machinery and equipment; developed or

4

undeveloped land; streets; roads; highways; parking lots;

5

stadiums and stadium seating; recreational courts; sidewalks;

6

foundations; structural supports; walls; floors; ceilings;

7

roofs; doors; canopies; millwork; elevators; windows and

8

external window coverings; outdoor advertising boards or signs;

9

airport runways; bridges; dams; dikes; traffic control devices,

10

including traffic signs; satellite dishes; antennas; guardrail

11

posts; pipes; fittings; pipe supports and hangers; valves;

12

underground tanks; wire; conduit; receptacle and junction boxes;

13

insulation; ductwork and coverings; and any structure or item

14

similar to any of the foregoing, regardless of whether the

15

structure or item constitutes a fixture or is affixed to the

16

real estate; or damage would be done to the structure or item or

17

its surroundings on removal.

18

(rr)  "Telecommunications service."  Any one-way transmission

19

or any two-way, interactive transmission of sounds, signals or

20

other intelligence converted to like form which effects or is

21

intended to effect meaningful communications by electronic or

22

electromagnetic means via wire, cable, satellite, light waves,

23

microwaves, radio waves or other transmission media. The term

24

includes all types of telecommunication transmissions, local,

25

toll, wide-area or any other type of telephone service; private

26

line service; telegraph service; radio repeater service;

27

wireless communication service; personal communications system

28

service; cellular telecommunication service; specialized mobile

29

radio service; stationary two-way radio service; and paging

30

service. The term does not include any of the following:

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1

(1)  Subscriber charges for access to a video dial tone

2

system.

3

(2)  Charges to video programmers for the transport of

4

video programming.

5

(3)  Charges for access to the Internet. Access to the

6

Internet does not include any of the following:

7

(i)  The transport over the Internet or any

8

proprietary network using the Internet protocol of

9

telephone calls, facsimile transmissions or other

10

telecommunications traffic to or from end users on the

11

public switched telephone network if the signal sent from

12

or received by an end user is not in an Internet

13

protocol.

14

(ii)  Telecommunication services purchased by an

15

Internet service provider to deliver access to the

16

Internet to its customers.

17

(4)  Mobile telecommunications services.

18

(ss)  "Internet."  The international nonproprietary computer

19

network of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet

20

switched data networks.

21

(tt)  "Commercial racing activities."  Any of the following:

22

(1)  Thoroughbred and harness racing at which pari-mutuel

23

wagering is conducted under the act of December 17, 1981

24

(P.L.435, No.135), known as the Race Horse Industry Reform

25

Act.

26

(2)  Fair racing sanctioned by the State Harness Racing

27

Commission.

28

(uu)  "Prepaid telecommunications."  A tangible item

29

containing a prepaid authorization number that can be used

30

solely to obtain telecommunications service, including any

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1

renewal or increases in the prepaid amount.

2

(vv)  "Prebuilt housing."  Either of the following:

3

(1)  Manufactured housing, including mobile homes, which

4

bears a label as required by and referred to in the act of

5

November 17, 1982 (P.L.676, No.192), known as the

6

Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards

7

Authorization Act.

8

(2)  Industrialized housing as defined in the act of May

9

11, 1972 (P.L.286, No.70), known as the Industrialized

10

Housing Act.

11

(ww)  "Used prebuilt housing."  Prebuilt housing that was

12

previously subject to a sale to a prebuilt housing purchaser.

13

(xx)  "Prebuilt housing builder."  A person who makes a

14

prebuilt housing sale to a prebuilt housing purchaser.

15

(yy)  "Prebuilt housing sale."  A sale of prebuilt housing to

16

a prebuilt housing purchaser, including a sale to a landlord,

17

without regard to whether the person making the sale is

18

responsible for installing the prebuilt housing or whether the

19

prebuilt housing becomes a real estate structure upon

20

installation. Temporary installation by a prebuilt housing

21

builder for display purposes of a unit held for resale shall not

22

be considered occupancy for residential purposes.

23

(zz)  "Prebuilt housing purchaser."  A person who purchases

24

prebuilt housing in a transaction and who intends to occupy the

25

unit for residential purposes in this Commonwealth.

26

(aaa)  "Mobile telecommunications service."  Mobile

27

telecommunications service as that term is defined in the Mobile

28

Telecommunications Sourcing Act (Public Law 106-252, 4 U.S.C. §

29

116 et seq.).

30

(bbb)  "Fiscal Code."  The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343,

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1

No.176), known as The Fiscal Code.

2

(ccc)  "Prepaid mobile telecommunications service."  Mobile

3

telecommunications service which is paid for in advance and

4

which enables the origination of calls using an access number,

5

authorization code or both, regardless of whether manually or

6

electronically dialed, if the remaining amount of units of the

7

prepaid mobile telecommunications service is known by the

8

service provider of the prepaid mobile telecommunications

9

service on a continuous basis. The term does not include the

10

advance purchase of mobile telecommunications service if the

11

purchase is pursuant to a service contract between the service

12

provider and customer and if the service contract requires the

13

customer to make periodic payments to maintain the mobile

14

telecommunications service.

15

(ddd)  "Call center."  The physical location in this

16

Commonwealth:

17

(1)  where at least 150 employees are employed to

18

initiate or answer telephone calls;

19

(2)  where there are at least 200 telephone lines; and

20

(3)  which utilizes an automated call distribution system

21

for customer telephone calls in one or more of the following

22

activities:

23

(i)  customer service and support;

24

(ii)  technical assistance;

25

(iii)  help desk service;

26

(iv)  providing information;

27

(v)  conducting surveys;

28

(vi)  revenue collections; or

29

(vii)  receiving orders or reservations.

30

For purposes of this clause, a physical location may include

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1

multiple buildings utilized by a taxpayer located within this

2

Commonwealth. Transactions for which purchase agreements are

3

executed after June 30, ????.

4

(eee)  "Dental services."  The general and usual services

5

rendered and care administered by doctors of dental medicine or

6

doctors of dental surgery, as defined in the act of May 1, 1933

7

(P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law.

8

(fff)  "Physician services."  The general and usual services

9

rendered and care administered by medical doctors, as defined in

10

the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the

11

Medical Practice Act of 1985, or doctors of osteopathy, as

12

defined in the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known

13

as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act.

14

(ggg)  "Clothing."  All vesture, wearing apparel, raiments,

15

garments, footwear and other articles of clothing, including

16

clothing patterns and items that are to be a component part of

17

clothing, worn or carried on or about the human body including,

18

but not limited to, all accessories, ornamental wear, formal day

19

or evening apparel and articles made of fur on the hide or pelt

20

or any material imitative of fur and articles of which such fur,

21

real, imitation or synthetic, is the component material of chief

22

value and sporting goods and clothing not normally used or worn

23

when not engaged in sports.

24

(hhh)  "Food and beverages."  All food and beverages for

25

human consumption, including, but not limited to:

26

(1)  Soft drinks.

27

(2)  Malt and brewed beverages and spiritous and vinous

28

liquors.

29

(3)  Food or beverages, whether sold for consumption on

30

or off the premises of on a take-out or to go basis or

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1

delivered to the purchaser or consumer, when purchased:

2

(i)  from persons engaged in the business of

3

catering; or

4

(ii)  from persons engaged in the business of

5

operating establishments from which ready-to-eat food and

6

beverages are sold, including, but not limited to,

7

restaurants, cafes, lunch counters, private and social

8

clubs, taverns, dining cars, hotels, night clubs, fast

9

food operations, pizzerias, fairs, carnivals, lunch

10

carts, ice cream stands, snack bars, cafeterias, employee

11

cafeterias, theaters, stadiums, arenas, amusement parks,

12

carryout shops, coffee shops and other establishments

13

whether mobile or immobile.

14

For purposes of this clause, a bakery, a pastry shop, a donut

15

shop, a delicatessen, a grocery store, a supermarket, a farmer's

16

market, a convenience store or a vending machine shall not be

17

considered an establishment from which food or beverages ready

18

to eat are sold except for the sale of meals, sandwiches, food

19

from salad bars, hand-dipped or hand-served ice-based products

20

including ice cream and yogurt, hot soup, hot pizza and other

21

hot food items, brewed coffee and hot beverages. For purposes of

22

this subclause, beverages shall not include malt and brewed

23

beverages and spiritous and vinous liquors but shall include

24

soft drinks.

25

SUBCHAPTER B

26

SALES AND USE TAX

27

Section 702.  Imposition of tax.

28

(a)  Tax on certain sales at retail and uses of tangible

29

personal property and services.--

30

(1)  There is hereby imposed on each separate sale at

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1

retail of tangible personal property or services in this

2

Commonwealth a tax of 7% of the purchase price, which tax

3

shall be collected by the vendor from the purchaser, and

4

shall be paid over to the Commonwealth as provided in this

5

chapter.

6

(2)  There is hereby imposed on the use in this

7

Commonwealth of tangible personal property purchased at

8

retail and on those services purchased at retail a tax of 7%

9

of the purchase price, which tax shall be paid to the

10

Commonwealth by the person who makes such use as provided

11

under this chapter, except that the tax shall not be paid to

12

the Commonwealth by the person where the person has paid the

13

tax imposed by paragraph (1) or has paid the tax imposed by

14

this subsection to the vendor with respect to the use.

15

(b)  (Reserved).

16

(c)  Telecommunications service.--

17

(1)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this

18

chapter, the tax with respect to telecommunications service

19

within the meaning of "tangible personal property" in section

20

701 shall be computed at the rate of 7% on the total amount

21

charged to customers for the services, irrespective of

22

whether such charge is based on a flat rate or on a message

23

unit charge.

24

(2)  A telecommunications service provider shall have no

25

responsibility or liability to the Commonwealth for billing,

26

collecting or remitting taxes that apply to services,

27

products or other commerce sold over telecommunications lines

28

by third-party vendors.

29

(3)  To prevent actual multistate taxation of interstate

30

telecommunications service, any taxpayer, on proof that the

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1

taxpayer has paid a similar tax to another state on the same

2

interstate telecommunications service, shall be allowed a

3

credit against the tax imposed by this section on the same

4

interstate telecommunications service to the extent of the

5

amount of the tax properly due and paid to the other state.

6

(d)  Coin-operated vending machines.--Notwithstanding any

7

other provisions of this chapter, the sale or use of food and

8

beverages dispensed by means of coin-operated vending machines

9

shall be taxed at the rate of 7% of the receipts collected from

10

any coin-operated vending machine which dispenses food and

11

beverages that were previously taxable.

12

(e)  Prepaid telecommunications.--

13

(1)  Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter, the

14

sale or use of prepaid telecommunications evidenced by the

15

transfer of tangible personal property shall be subject to

16

the tax imposed by subsection (a).

17

(2)  The sale or use of prepaid telecommunications not

18

evidenced by the transfer of tangible personal property shall

19

be subject to the tax imposed by subsection (a) and shall be

20

deemed to occur at the purchaser's billing address.

21

(3)  (i)  Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the sale or use

22

of prepaid telecommunications service not evidenced by

23

the transfer of tangible personal property shall be taxed

24

at the rate of 7% of the receipts collected on each sale

25

if the service provider elects to collect the tax imposed

26

by this chapter on receipts of each sale.

27

(ii)  The service provider shall notify the

28

department of its election and shall collect the tax on

29

receipts of each sale until the service provider notifies

30

the department otherwise.

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1

(e.1)  Prepaid mobile telecommunications service.--

2

(1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,

3

the sale or use of prepaid mobile telecommunications service

4

evidenced by the transfer of tangible personal property shall

5

be subject to the tax imposed by subsection (a).

6

(2)  The sale or use of prepaid mobile telecommunications

7

service not evidenced by the transfer of tangible personal

8

property shall be subject to the tax imposed by subsection

9

(a) and shall be deemed to occur at the purchaser's billing

10

address or the location associated with the mobile telephone

11

number or the point of sale, whichever is applicable.

12

(3)  (i)  Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the sale or use

13

of prepaid mobile telecommunications service not

14

evidenced by the transfer of tangible personal property

15

shall be taxed at the rate of 7% of the receipts

16

collected on each sale if the service provider elects to

17

collect the tax imposed by this chapter on receipts of

18

each sale.

19

(ii)  The service provider shall notify the

20

department of its election and shall collect the tax on

21

receipts of each sale until the service provider notifies

22

the department otherwise.

23

(f)  Prebuilt housing.--

24

(1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,

25

tax with respect to sales of prebuilt housing shall be

26

imposed on the prebuilt housing builder at the time of the

27

prebuilt housing sale within this Commonwealth and shall be

28

paid and reported by the prebuilt housing builder to the

29

department in the time and manner provided in this chapter.

30

(2)  A manufacturer of prebuilt housing may, at its

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1

option, precollect the tax from the prebuilt housing builder

2

at the time of sale to the prebuilt housing builder.

3

(3)  In any case where prebuilt housing is purchased and

4

the tax is not paid by the prebuilt housing builder or

5

precollected by the manufacturer, the prebuilt housing

6

purchaser shall remit tax directly to the department if the

7

prebuilt housing is used in this Commonwealth without regard

8

to whether the prebuilt housing becomes a real estate

9

structure.

10

(g)  Home service providers.--

11

(1)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter

12

and in accordance with the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing

13

Act (Public Law 106-252, 4 U.S.C. § 116 et seq.), the sale or

14

use of mobile telecommunications services which are deemed to

15

be provided to a customer by a home service provider under 4

16

U.S.C. § 117 (relating to sourcing rules) shall be subject to

17

the tax of 7% of the purchase price, which tax shall be

18

collected by the home service provider from the customer, and

19

shall be paid over to the Commonwealth as provided in this

20

chapter if the customer's place of primary use is located

21

within this Commonwealth, regardless of where the mobile

22

telecommunications services originate, terminate or pass

23

through.

24

(2)  For purposes of this subsection, words and phrases

25

used in this subsection shall have the same meanings given to

26

them in the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act.

27

Section 703.  Computation of tax.

28

(a)  Table to be published.--Within 60 days of the effective

29

date of this section, the department shall prepare and publish

30

as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin a table setting forth

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1

the amount of tax imposed under section 702 for purchase prices

2

that are less than $1.

3

(b)  Deposit into Education Stabilization Fund.--The tax

4

collected under section 702 shall be deposited into the

5

Education Stabilization Fund.

6

SUBCHAPTER C

7

EXCLUSIONS FROM SALES AND USE TAX

8

Section 704.  Exclusions from tax.

9

The tax imposed by section 702 shall not be imposed upon any

10

of the following:

11

(1)  The sale at retail or use of tangible personal

12

property (other than motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers,

13

motor boats, aircraft or other similar tangible personal

14

property required under either Federal law or laws of this

15

Commonwealth to be registered or licensed) or services sold

16

by or purchased from a person not a vendor in an isolated

17

transaction or sold by or purchased from a person who is a

18

vendor but is not a vendor with respect to the tangible

19

personal property or services sold or purchased in such

20

transaction, provided that inventory and stock in trade so

21

sold or purchased shall not be excluded from the tax by the

22

provisions of this subsection.

23

(2)  The use of tangible personal property purchased by a

24

nonresident person outside of, and brought into this

25

Commonwealth for use therein for a period not to exceed seven

26

days, or for any period of time when such nonresident is a

27

tourist or vacationer and, in either case not consumed within

28

the Commonwealth.

29

(3)  (i)  The use of tangible personal property purchased

30

outside this Commonwealth for use outside this

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1

Commonwealth by a then nonresident natural person or a

2

business entity not actually doing business within this

3

Commonwealth, who later brings the tangible personal

4

property into this Commonwealth in connection with the

5

person's or entity's establishment of a permanent

6

business or residence in this Commonwealth, provided that

7

the property was purchased more than six months prior to

8

the date it was first brought into this Commonwealth or

9

prior to the establishment of the business or residence,

10

whichever first occurs.

11

(ii)  This paragraph shall not apply to tangible

12

personal property temporarily brought into this

13

Commonwealth for the performance of contracts for the

14

construction, reconstruction, remodeling, repairing and

15

maintenance of real estate.

16

(4)  (Reserved).

17

(5)  The sale at retail or use of steam, natural and

18

manufactured and bottled gas, fuel oil, electricity or

19

intrastate subscriber line charges, basic local telephone

20

service or telegraph service when purchased directly by the

21

user solely for the user's own residential use and charges

22

for telephone calls paid for by inserting money into a

23

telephone accepting direct deposits of money to operate.

24

(6)  (Reserved).

25

(7)  (Reserved).

26

(8)  (Reserved).

27

(9)  (Reserved).

28

(10)  (i)  The sale at retail to or use by any charitable

29

organization, volunteer firefighters' organization or

30

nonprofit educational institution or a religious

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1

organization for religious purposes of tangible personal

2

property or services other than pursuant to a

3

construction contract.

4

(ii)  This paragraph shall not apply with respect to

5

any tangible personal property or services used in any

6

unrelated trade or business carried on by the

7

organization or institution or with respect to any

8

materials, supplies and equipment used and transferred to

9

the organization or institution in the construction,

10

reconstruction, remodeling, renovation, repairs and

11

maintenance of any real estate structure, other than

12

building machinery and equipment, except materials and

13

supplies when purchased by the organization or

14

institution for routine maintenance and repairs.

15

(11)  The sale at retail, or use of gasoline and other

16

motor fuels, the sales of which are otherwise subject to

17

excise taxes under 75 Pa.C.S. Ch. 90 (relating to liquid

18

fuels and fuels tax).

19

(12)  (i)  The sale at retail to, or use by the United

20

States, this Commonwealth or its instrumentalities or

21

political subdivisions, nonpublic schools, charter

22

schools, cyber charter schools or vocational schools of

23

tangible personal property or services.

24

(ii)  This paragraph includes the sale at retail to a

25

supervisor of a home education program of tangible

26

personal property or services used exclusively for the

27

home education program.

28

(iii)  As used in this paragraph, the terms

29

"nonpublic school," "charter school," "cyber charter

30

school," "vocational school," "supervisor" and "home

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1

education program" shall have the meanings given to them

2

in the Public School Code of 1949.

3

(13)  The sale at retail, or use of wrapping paper,

4

wrapping twine, bags, cartons, tape, rope, labels,

5

nonreturnable containers and all other wrapping supplies,

6

when such use is incidental to the delivery of any personal

7

property, except that any charge for wrapping or packaging

8

shall be subject to tax at the rate imposed by section 702.

9

(14)  Sale at retail or use of vessels designed for

10

commercial use of registered tonnage of 50 tons or more when

11

produced by the builders thereof upon special order of the

12

purchaser.

13

(15)  Sale at retail of tangible personal property or

14

services used or consumed in building, rebuilding, repairing

15

and making additions to or replacements in and upon vessels

16

designed for commercial use of registered tonnage of 50 tons

17

or more upon special order of the purchaser, or when rebuilt,

18

repaired or enlarged, or when replacements are made upon

19

order of or for the account of the owner.

20

(16)  The sale at retail or use of tangible personal

21

property or services to be used or consumed for ship cleaning

22

or maintenance or as fuel, supplies, ships' equipment, ships'

23

stores or sea stores on vessels designed for commercial use

24

of registered tonnage of 50 tons or more to be operated

25

principally outside the limits of this Commonwealth.

26

(17)  The sale at retail or use of prescription

27

medicines, drugs or medical supplies, crutches and

28

wheelchairs for the use of persons with disabilities and

29

invalids, artificial limbs, artificial eyes and artificial

30

hearing devices when designed to be worn on the person of the

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1

purchaser or user, false teeth and materials used by a

2

dentist in dental treatment, eyeglasses when especially

3

designed or prescribed by an ophthalmologist, oculist or

4

optometrist for the personal use of the owner or purchaser

5

and artificial braces and supports designed solely for the

6

use of persons with disabilities or any other therapeutic,

7

prosthetic or artificial device designed for the use of a

8

particular individual to correct or alleviate a physical

9

incapacity, including, but not limited to, hospital beds,

10

iron lungs and kidney machines.

11

(18)  The sale at retail or use of coal.

12

(19)  (Reserved).

13

(20)  (Reserved).

14

(21)  (Reserved).

15

(22)  (Reserved).

16

(23)  (Reserved).

17

(24)  The sale at retail or use of motor vehicles,

18

trailers and semitrailers, or bodies attached to the chassis

19

thereof, sold to a nonresident of this Commonwealth to be

20

used outside this Commonwealth and which are registered in a

21

state other than this Commonwealth within 20 days after

22

delivery to the vendee.

23

(25)  The sale at retail or use of water.

24

(26)  The sale at retail or use of all vesture, wearing

25

apparel, raiments, garments, footwear and other articles of

26

clothing with a purchase price of less than $50, including

27

clothing patterns and items that are to be a component part

28

of clothing, worn or carried on or about the human body but

29

all accessories, ornamental wear, formal day or evening

30

apparel and articles made of fur on the hide or pelt or any

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1

material imitative of fur and articles of which such fur,

2

real, imitation or synthetic, is the component material of

3

chief value, but only if such value is more than three times

4

the value of the next most valuable component material, and

5

sporting goods and clothing not normally used or worn when

6

not engaged in sports shall not be excluded from the tax.

7

(27)  (Reserved).

8

(28)  (Reserved).

9

(29)  The sale at retail or use of food and beverages

10

that are federally approved items for the Women, Infants and

11

Children Program under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act

12

of 1966 (Public Law 89-642, 42 U.S.C. § 1786).

13

(30)  (i)  The sale at retail or use of any printed or

14

other form of advertising materials regardless of where

15

or by whom the advertising material was produced.

16

(ii)  This paragraph shall not include the sale at

17

retail or use of mail order catalogs and direct mail

18

advertising literature or materials, including electoral

19

literature or materials, such as envelopes, address

20

labels and a one-time license to use a list of names and

21

mailing addresses for each delivery of direct mail

22

advertising literature or materials, including electoral

23

literature or materials, through the United States Postal

24

Service.

25

(31)  (Reserved).

26

(32)  (Reserved).

27

(33)  (Reserved).

28

(34)  (Reserved).

29

(35)  (Reserved).

30

(36)  The sale at retail or use of rail transportation

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1

equipment used in the movement of personalty.

2

(37)  (Reserved).

3

(38)  (Reserved).

4

(39)  The sale at retail or use of fish feed purchased by

5

or on behalf of sportsmen's clubs, fish cooperatives or

6

nurseries approved by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.

7

(40)  The sale at retail of supplies and materials to

8

tourist promotion agencies, which receive grants from the

9

Commonwealth, for distribution to the public as promotional

10

material or the use of such supplies and materials by said

11

agencies for said purposes.

12

(41)  (Reserved).

13

(42)  The sale or use of brook trout (salvelinus

14

fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta) or rainbow trout

15

(Salmo gairdneri).

16

(43)  The sale at retail or use of buses to be used

17

exclusively for the transportation of children for school

18

purposes.

19

(44)  The sale at retail or use of firewood.

20

(45)  (Reserved).

21

(46)  The sale at retail or use of tangible personal

22

property purchased in accordance with the Food Stamp Act of

23

1977, as amended (Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2011-2029).

24

(47)  (Reserved).

25

(48)  (Reserved).

26

(49)  (i)  The sale at retail or use of food and

27

beverages by nonprofit associations which support sports

28

programs.

29

(ii)  The following words and phrases when used in

30

this paragraph shall have the meanings given to them in

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1

this subparagraph unless the context clearly indicates

2

otherwise:

3

"Nonprofit association."  An entity which is

4

organized as a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit

5

unincorporated association under the laws of this

6

Commonwealth or the United States or any entity which is

7

authorized to do business in this Commonwealth as a

8

nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association under

9

the laws of this Commonwealth, including, but not limited

10

to, youth or athletic associations, volunteer fire,

11

ambulance, religious, charitable, fraternal, veterans,

12

civic, or any separately chartered auxiliary of the

13

foregoing, if organized and operated on a nonprofit

14

basis.

15

"Sports program."  Baseball, softball, football,

16

basketball, soccer and any other competitive sport

17

formally recognized as a sport by the United States

18

Olympic Committee as specified by and under the

19

jurisdiction of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 (Public

20

Law 95-606, 36 U.S.C. Ch. 2205), the Amateur Athletic

21

Union or the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

22

The term shall be limited to a program or that portion of

23

a program that is organized for recreational purposes and

24

whose activities are substantially for such purposes and

25

which is primarily for participants who are 18 years of

26

age or younger or whose 19th birthday occurs during the

27

year of participation or the competitive season,

28

whichever is longer. There shall, however, be no age

29

limitation for programs operated for persons with

30

physical handicaps or persons with mental retardation.

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1

"Support."  The funds raised from sales are used to

2

pay the expenses of a sports program or the nonprofit

3

association sells the food and beverages at a location

4

where a sports program is being conducted under this

5

chapter or the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

6

(50)  (Reserved).

7

(51)  The sale at retail or use of interior office

8

building cleaning services but only as relates to the costs

9

of the supplied employee, which costs are wages, salaries,

10

bonuses and commissions, employment benefits, expense

11

reimbursements and payroll and withholding taxes, to the

12

extent that these costs are specifically itemized or that

13

these costs in aggregate are stated in billings from the

14

vendor or supplying entity.

15

(52)  (Reserved).

16

(53)  (Reserved).

17

(54)  (Reserved).

18

(55)  (Reserved).

19

(56)  The sale at retail or use of tangible personal

20

property or services used, transferred or consumed in

21

installing or repairing equipment or devices designed to

22

assist persons in ascending or descending a stairway when:

23

(i)  The equipment or devices are used by a person

24

who, by virtue of a physical disability, is unable to

25

ascend or descend stairs without the aid of such

26

equipment or device.

27

(ii)  The equipment or device is installed or used in

28

the person's place of residence.

29

(iii)  A physician has certified the physical

30

disability of the person in whose residence the equipment

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1

or device is installed or used.

2

(57)  The sale at retail to or use by a construction

3

contractor of building machinery and equipment and services

4

thereto that are:

5

(i)  transferred pursuant to a construction contract

6

for any charitable organization, volunteer firemen's

7

organization, nonprofit educational institution or

8

religious organization for religious purposes, provided

9

that the building machinery and equipment and services

10

thereto are not used in any unrelated trade or business;

11

or

12

(ii)  transferred to the United States or the

13

Commonwealth or its instrumentalities or political

14

subdivisions.

15

(58)  (Reserved).

16

(59)  The sale at retail or use of molds and related mold

17

equipment used directly and predominantly in the manufacture

18

of products, regardless of whether the person that holds

19

title to the equipment manufactures a product.

20

(60)  (Reserved).

21

(61)  (Reserved).

22

(62)  The sale at retail or use of tangible personal

23

property or services which are directly used in farming,

24

dairying or agriculture when engaged in as a business

25

enterprise, regardless of whether the sale is made to the

26

person directly engaged in the business enterprise or to a

27

person contracting with the person directly engaged in the

28

business enterprise for the production of food.

29

(63)  (Reserved).

30

(64)  The sale at retail to or use by a construction

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1

contractor, employed by a public school district pursuant to

2

a construction contract, of any materials and building

3

supplies which, during construction or reconstruction, are

4

made part of any public school building utilized for

5

instructional classroom education within this Commonwealth,

6

if the construction or reconstruction:

7

(i)  is necessitated by a disaster emergency, as

8

defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 7102 (relating to definitions);

9

and

10

(ii)  takes place during the period when there is a

11

declaration of disaster emergency under 35 Pa.C.S. §

12

7301(c) (relating to general authority of Governor).

13

(65)  (Reserved).

14

(66)  The sale at retail or use of copies of an official

15

document sold by a government agency or a court. For the

16

purposes of this paragraph, the following terms or phrases

17

shall have the following meanings:

18

(i)  "court" includes:

19

(A)  an appellate court as defined in 42 Pa.C.S.

20

§ 102 (relating to definitions);

21

(B)  A court of common pleas as defined in 42

22

Pa.C.S. § 102; or

23

(C)  the minor judiciary as defined in 42 Pa.C.S.

24

§ 102;

25

(ii)  "government agency" means an agency as defined

26

in section 102 of the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6,

27

No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law; and

28

(iii)  "official document" means a record as defined

29

in section 102 of the Right-to-Know Law. The term shall

30

include notes of court testimony, deposition transcripts,

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1

driving records, accident reports, birth and death

2

certificates, deeds, divorce decrees and other similar

3

documents.

4

(67)  The sale at retail or use of repair or replacement

5

parts, including the installation of those parts, exclusively

6

for use in helicopters and similar rotorcraft or in

7

overhauling or rebuilding of helicopters and similar

8

rotorcraft or helicopters and similar rotorcraft components.

9

(68)  The sale at retail or use of helicopters and

10

similar rotorcraft.

11

(69)  The sale at retail or use of goods or services that

12

are part of a Medicare Part B transaction.

13

(70)  The sale at retail or use of transportation of

14

persons provided or funded by the Federal, State or local

15

government.

16

(71)  The sale at retail of insurance premiums.

17

(72)  The sale at retail, between an owner of real

18

property and a financial institution, of a mortgage.

19

(73)  An investment or gain on an investment, including,

20

but not limited to, bank deposits, stocks and bonds,

21

including any commissions, maintenance costs and other

22

charges, which commissions, maintenance costs and other

23

charges related to the making of such investment or a gain

24

thereon.

25

(74)  The rental of real property.

26

(75)  The sale at retail of tuition.

27

(76)  The sale at retail of any of the following

28

business, professional or technical services performed by a

29

business and rendered to another business:

30

(i)  Legal services.

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1

(ii)  Architectural, engineering and related

2

services.

3

(iii)  Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services.

4

(iv)  Specialized design services.

5

(v)  Advertising, public relations and related

6

services.

7

(vi)  Services to building and dwellings.

8

(vii)  Scientific, environmental and technical

9

consulting services.

10

(viii)  Scientific research and development services.

11

(ix)  Information services.

12

(x)  Administrative services.

13

(xi)  Custom programming, design and data processing

14

services.

15

(xii)  Parking lot and garage services.

16

(77)  The sale at retail of legal services relating to

17

domestic relations matters or criminal matters.

18

(78)  The sale at retail of services rendered as part of

19

a transfer of an interest in real property.

20

(79)  The sale at retail to or use by a person of legal

21

services rendered by an attorney where the payment is made

22

pursuant to a contingency fee based upon a percentage of the

23

amount recovered with respect to a legal claim or dispute.

24

(80)  The sale at retail to or use by a person of the

25

services rendered by or under the supervision of a licensed

26

real estate broker, associate broker or salesperson in

27

connection with any aspect of the sale, lease or acquisition

28

of any interest in real property.

29

(81)  The sale at retail, or the use of motion picture

30

film rented or licensed from a distributor for the purpose of

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1

commercial exhibition.

2

(82)  The sale at retail or use of services performed by

3

minors under 18 years of age and not on behalf of another

4

person.

5

(83)  The sale at retail or use of services performed by

6

any person to the extent that the recipient or user of such

7

services receives those services free of charge.

8

(84)  The sale at retail or use of services provided by

9

employees to their employers in exchange for wages and

10

salaries when such services are rendered in the ordinary

11

course of employment.

12

(85)  The sale at retail or use of services performed for

13

resale in the ordinary course of business of the purchaser or

14

user of such services.

15

(86)  The sale at retail or use of services that are

16

otherwise taxable that are an integral, inseparable part of

17

the services that are to be sold or used and that are

18

taxable.

19

(87)  Telecommunication services performed in this

20

Commonwealth.

21

(88)  The sale at retail of medical goods or services by

22

a hospital, as defined in the act of December 20, 1985

23

(P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985.

24

(89)  The sale at retail of medical or dental services,

25

including charges for office visits.

26

Section 705.  Alternate imposition of tax.

27

(a)  General rule.--If any person actively and principally

28

engaged in the business of selling new or used motor vehicles,

29

trailers or semitrailers, and registered with the department in

30

the "dealer's class," acquires a motor vehicle, trailer or

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1

semitrailer for the purpose of resale, and prior to such resale,

2

uses the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer for a taxable use

3

under this chapter or the Tax Reform Code of 1971, the person

4

may pay a tax equal to 7% of the fair rental value of the motor

5

vehicle, trailer or semitrailer during use.

6

(b)  Aircraft.--A commercial aircraft operator who acquires

7

an aircraft for the purpose of resale, or lease, or is entitled

8

to claim another valid exemption at the time of purchase, and

9

subsequent to the purchase, periodically uses the same aircraft

10

for a taxable use under this chapter or the Tax Reform Code of

11

1971, may elect to pay a tax equal to 7% of the fair rental

12

value of the aircraft during such use.

13

(c)  Applicability.--This section shall not apply to the use

14

of a vehicle as a wrecker, parts truck, delivery truck or

15

courtesy car.

16

Section 706.  Credit against tax.

17

(a)  Tax paid to another state.--

18

(1)  A credit against the tax imposed by section 702

19

shall be granted with respect to tangible personal property

20

or services purchased for use outside the Commonwealth equal

21

to the tax paid to another state by reason of the imposition

22

by the other state of a tax similar to the tax imposed by

23

this chapter.

24

(2)  No credit under paragraph (1) shall be granted

25

unless the other state grants substantially similar tax

26

relief by reason of the payment of tax under this chapter or

27

under the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

28

(b)  Telecommunications services.--A credit against the tax

29

imposed by section 702 on telecommunications services shall be

30

granted to a call center for gross receipts tax paid by a

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1

telephone company on the receipts derived from the sale of

2

incoming and outgoing interstate telecommunications services to

3

the call center under section 1101(a)(2) of the Tax Reform Code

4

of 1971. The following apply:

5

(1)  A telephone company, on request, shall notify a call

6

center of the amount of gross receipts tax paid by the

7

telephone company on the receipts derived from the sale of

8

incoming and outgoing interstate telecommunications services

9

to the call center.

10

(2)  A call center that is eligible for the credit in

11

this subsection may apply for a tax credit as set forth in

12

this subsection.

13

(3)  By February 15, a taxpayer must submit an

14

application to the department for gross receipts tax paid on

15

the receipts derived from the sale of incoming and outgoing

16

interstate telecommunications services incurred in the prior

17

calendar year.

18

(4)  By April 15 of the calendar year following the close

19

of the calendar year during which the gross receipts tax was

20

incurred, the department shall notify the applicant of the

21

amount of the applicant's tax credit approved by the

22

department.

23

(5)  The total amount of tax credits provided for in this

24

subsection and approved by the department shall not exceed

25

$30,000,000 in any fiscal year. If the total amount of tax

26

credits applied for by all applicants exceeds the amount

27

allocated for those credits, then the credit to be received

28

by each applicant shall be determined as follows:

29

(i)  Divide:

30

(A)  the tax credit applied for by the applicant;

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1

by

2

(B)  the total of all tax credits applied for by

3

all applicants.

4

(ii)  Multiply:

5

(A)  the quotient under subparagraph (i); by

6

(B)  the amount allocated for all tax credits.

7

SUBCHAPTER D

8

LICENSES

9

Section 708.  Licenses.

10

(a)  Duty to obtain license.--Every person maintaining a

11

place of business in this Commonwealth, selling or leasing

12

services or tangible personal property, the sale or use of which

13

is subject to tax and who has not obtained a license from the

14

department, shall, prior to the beginning of business, make

15

application to the department, on a form prescribed by the

16

department, for a license. If such person maintains more than

17

one place of business in this Commonwealth, the license shall be

18

issued for the principal place of business in this Commonwealth.

19

(b)  Criteria for issuance of license.--

20

(1)  The department shall, after the receipt of an

21

application, issue the license applied for under subsection

22

(a) if the applicant filed all required State tax reports and

23

paid any State taxes not subject to a timely perfected

24

administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly

25

authorized deferred payment plan. The license shall be

26

nonassignable.

27

(2)  All licenses in effect on the effective date of this

28

section under former Article III of the Tax Reform Code of

29

1971 and all licenses issued or renewed on or after the

30

effective date of this section shall be valid for a period of

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1

five years.

2

(b.1)  Refusal of license.--

3

(1)  If an applicant for a license or any person holding

4

a license has not filed all required State tax reports and

5

paid any State taxes not subject to a timely perfected

6

administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly

7

authorized deferred payment plan, the department may refuse

8

to issue, may suspend or may revoke said license.

9

(2)  The department shall notify the applicant or

10

licensee of any refusal, suspension or revocation. The notice

11

shall contain a statement that the refusal, suspension or

12

revocation may be made public. The notice shall be made by

13

first class mail.

14

(3)  An applicant or licensee aggrieved by the

15

determination of the department may file an appeal pursuant

16

to the provisions for administrative appeals in this chapter.

17

In the case of a suspension or revocation which is appealed,

18

the license shall remain valid pending a final outcome of the

19

appeals process.

20

(4)  Notwithstanding section 774 or sections 353(f),

21

408(b), 603, 702, 802, 904 and 1102 of the Tax Reform Code of

22

1971, or any other provision of law to the contrary, if no

23

appeal is taken or if an appeal is taken and denied at the

24

conclusion of the appeal process, the department may

25

disclose, by publication or otherwise, the identity of a

26

person and the fact that the person's license has been

27

refused, suspended or revoked under this subsection.

28

Disclosure may include the basis for refusal, suspension or

29

revocation.

30

(c)  Penalties.--

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1

(1)  A person that maintains a place of business in this

2

Commonwealth for the purpose of selling or leasing services

3

or tangible personal property, the sale or use of which is

4

subject to tax, without having first been licensed by the

5

department shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon

6

conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less

7

than $300 nor more than $1,500 and, in default thereof, a

8

term of imprisonment of not less than five days nor more than

9

30 days.

10

(2)  The penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in

11

addition to any other penalties imposed by this chapter.

12

(3)  For purposes of this subsection, the offering for

13

sale or lease of any service or tangible personal property,

14

the sale or use of which is subject to tax, during any

15

calendar day shall constitute a separate violation.

16

(4)  The secretary may designate employees of the

17

department to enforce the provisions of this subsection. The

18

employees shall exhibit proof of and be within the scope of

19

the designation when instituting proceedings as provided by

20

the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

21

(d)  Effect of failure to obtain license.--Failure of any

22

person to obtain a license shall not relieve that person of

23

liability to pay the tax imposed by this chapter.

24

SUBCHAPTER E

25

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX

26

Section 709.  Definitions.

27

(a)  General rule.--The following words and phrases when used

28

in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this

29

section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

30

"Hotel."  A building or buildings in which the public may,

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1

for a consideration, obtain sleeping accommodations. The term

2

does not include any charitable, educational or religious

3

institution summer camp for children, hospital or nursing home.

4

"Occupancy." The use or possession or the right to the use or

5

possession by any person, other than a permanent resident, of

6

any room or rooms in a hotel for any purpose or the right to the

7

use or possession of the furnishings or to the services and

8

accommodations accompanying the use and possession of the room

9

or rooms.

10

"Occupant."  A person, other than a permanent resident, who,

11

for a consideration, uses, possesses or has a right to use or

12

possess any room or rooms in a hotel under any lease,

13

concession, permit, right of access, license or agreement.

14

"Operator."  Any person who operates a hotel.

15

"Permanent resident."  Any occupant who has occupied or has

16

the right to occupancy of any room or rooms in a hotel for at

17

least 30 consecutive days.

18

"Rent." The consideration received for occupancy valued in

19

money, whether received in money or otherwise, including all

20

receipts, cash, credits and property or services of any kind or

21

nature, and also any amount for which the occupant is liable for

22

the occupancy without any deduction. The term "rent" shall not

23

include a gratuity.

24

(b)  Other definitions.--The following words and phrases,

25

when used in Subchapters D and F, shall, in addition to the

26

meaning ascribed to them by section 701, have the meaning

27

ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context

28

clearly indicates a different meaning:

29

"Maintaining a place of business in this Commonwealth."

30

Being the operator of a hotel in this Commonwealth.

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1

"Purchase at retail."  Occupancy.

2

"Purchase price."  Rent.

3

"Purchaser."  Occupant.

4

"Sale at retail."  The providing of occupancy to an occupant

5

by an operator.

6

"Services."  Occupancy.

7

"Tangible personal property."  Occupancy.

8

"Use."  Occupancy.

9

"Vendor."  Operator.

10

Section 710.  Imposition of tax.

11

There is hereby imposed an excise tax of 7% of the rent on

12

every occupancy of a room or rooms in a hotel in this

13

Commonwealth, which tax shall be collected by the operator from

14

the occupant and paid over to the Commonwealth as provided in

15

this chapter and deposited into the Education Stabilization

16

Fund.

17

Section 711.  Seasonal tax returns.

18

Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter or the

19

Tax Reform Code of 1971, the department may, by regulation,

20

waive the requirement for the filing of quarterly returns in the

21

case of any operator whose hotel is operated only during certain

22

seasons of the year, and may provide for the filing of returns

23

by such persons at times other than those provided by section

24

721.

25

SUBCHAPTER F

26

PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION

27

Section 715.  Persons required to make returns.

28

Every person required to pay tax to the department or collect

29

and remit tax to the department shall file returns with respect

30

to the tax.

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1

Section 716.  Form of returns.

2

The returns required by section 715 shall be on forms

3

prescribed by the department and shall show such information

4

with respect to the taxes imposed by this chapter as the

5

department may reasonably require.

6

Section 717.  Time for filing returns.

7

(a)  Monthly reporting.--A return shall be filed monthly with

8

respect to each month by every licensee whose total tax reported

9

or, in the event no report is filed, the total tax which should

10

have been reported, for the third calendar quarter of the

11

preceding year equals or exceeds $600. The returns shall be

12

filed on or before the 20th day of the next succeeding month

13

with respect to which the return is made. Any licensee required

14

to file monthly returns under this chapter shall be relieved

15

from filing quarterly returns.

16

(b)  Annual reporting.--No annual return shall be filed,

17

except as may be required by rules and regulations of the

18

department promulgated and published at least 60 days prior to

19

the end of the year with respect to which the returns are made.

20

Where such annual returns are required, licensees shall not be

21

required to file such returns prior to the 20th day of the year

22

succeeding the year with respect to which the returns are made.

23

(c)  Persons other than licensees.--Any person, other than a

24

licensee, liable to pay to the department any tax under this

25

chapter, shall file a return on or before the 20th day of the

26

month succeeding the month in which the person becomes liable

27

for the tax.

28

(d)  Waivers.--The department, by regulation, may waive the

29

requirement for the filing of quarterly return in the case of

30

any licensee whose individual tax collections do not exceed $75

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1

per calendar quarter and may provide for reporting on a less

2

frequent basis in such cases.

3

Section 718.  Extension of time for filing returns.

4

The department may, on written application and for good cause

5

shown, grant a reasonable extension of time for filing any

6

return required under this subchapter. However, the time for

7

making a return shall not be extended for more than three

8

months.

9

Section 719.  Place for filing returns.

10

Returns shall be filed with the department at its main office

11

or at any branch office which it may designate for filing

12

returns.

13

Section 720.  Timely mailing treated as timely filing and

14

payment.

15

(a)  General rule.--Notwithstanding the provisions of any

16

State tax law to the contrary, whenever a report or payment of

17

all or any portion of a State tax is required by law to be

18

received by the department or other agency of the Commonwealth

19

on or before a day certain, the taxpayer shall be deemed to have

20

complied with the law if the letter transmitting the report or

21

payment of the tax which has been received by the department is

22

postmarked by the United States Postal Service on or prior to

23

the final day on which the payment is to be received.

24

(b)  Presentation of receipt.--For the purposes of this

25

chapter, presentation of a receipt indicating that the report or

26

payment was mailed by registered or certified mail on or before

27

the due date shall be evidence of timely filing and payment.

28

Section 721.  Payment of tax.

29

When a return of tax is required under this subchapter, the

30

person required to make the return shall pay the tax to the

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1

department.

2

Section 722.  Time of payment.

3

(a)  General rule.--The tax imposed by this chapter and

4

incurred or collected by a licensee shall be due and payable by

5

the licensee on the day the return is required to be filed under

6

the provisions of section 717 and the payment must accompany the

7

return for the preceding period.

8

(b)  Other payments.--If the amount of tax due for the

9

preceding year as shown by the annual return of a taxpayer is

10

greater than the amount already paid by the taxpayer in

11

connection with the taxpayer's monthly or quarterly returns, the

12

taxpayer shall send with the annual return a remittance for the

13

unpaid amount of tax for the year.

14

(c)  Persons other than licensees.--Any person other than a

15

licensee liable to pay any tax under this chapter shall remit

16

the tax at the time of filing the return required by this

17

chapter.

18

Section 723.  Other times for payment.

19

In the event that the department authorizes a taxpayer to

20

file a return at other times than those specified in section

21

717, the tax due shall be paid at the time the return is filed.

22

Section 724.  Place for payment.

23

The tax imposed by this chapter shall be paid to the

24

department at the place fixed for filing the return.

25

Section 725.  Tax held in trust for Commonwealth.

26

(a)  General rule.--All taxes collected by any person from

27

purchasers in accordance with this chapter and all taxes

28

collected by any person from purchasers under color of this

29

chapter which have not been properly refunded by the person to

30

the purchaser shall constitute a trust fund for the

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1

Commonwealth, and such trust shall be enforceable against such

2

person, the person's representatives and any person, other than

3

a purchaser to whom a refund has been made properly, receiving

4

any part of the fund without consideration, or knowing that the

5

taxpayer is committing a breach of trust.

6

(b)  Presumption.--Any person receiving payment of a lawful

7

obligation of the taxpayer from the fund identified under

8

subsection (a) shall be presumed to have received the same in

9

good faith and without any knowledge of the breach of trust.

10

(c)  Right to petition and appeal.--Any person, other than a

11

taxpayer, against whom the department makes any claim under this

12

section shall have the same right to petition and appeal as is

13

given taxpayers by any provisions of this subchapter.

14

Section 726.  Local receivers of use tax.

15

(a)  General rule.--In every county, except counties of the

16

first class, the county treasurer shall receive use tax due and

17

payable under this chapter from any person other than a

18

licensee. The receiving of the taxes shall be pursuant to rules

19

and regulations promulgated by the department and on forms

20

furnished by the department.

21

(b)  Deduction for administrative costs.--Each county

22

treasurer shall remit to the department all use taxes received

23

under the authority of this section minus the costs of

24

administering this section not to exceed 1% of the amount of use

25

taxes received, which amount shall be retained in lieu of any

26

commission otherwise allowable by law for the collection of the

27

tax.

28

Section 727.  Discount.

29

(a)  General rule.--Subject to the provisions of subsection

30

(b), if a return is filed by a licensee and the tax shown to be

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1

due thereon less any discount is paid all within the time

2

prescribed, the licensee shall be entitled to credit and apply

3

against the tax payable by the licensee a discount of 1% of the

4

amount of the tax collected by the licensee, as compensation for

5

the expense of collecting and remitting the tax due by the

6

licensee and as consideration of the prompt payment.

7

(b)  Types of periodic filers.--For returns filed on or after

8

the effective date of this section, the discount under

9

subsection (a) shall be limited to the following:

10

(1)  For a monthly filer, $25 per return.

11

(2)  For a quarterly filer, $75 per return.

12

(3)  For a semiannual filer, $150 per return.

13

Section 728.  (Reserved).

14

Section 729.  (Reserved).

15

Section 730.  Assessment.

16

The department shall make the inquiries, determinations and

17

assessments of the tax, including interest, additions and

18

penalties, imposed by this chapter. A notice of assessment and

19

demand for payment shall be mailed by certified mail to the

20

taxpayer. The notice shall set forth the basis of the

21

assessment.

22

Section 731.  Mode and time of assessment.

23

(a)  Duty to examine.--

24

(1)  Within a reasonable time after any return is filed,

25

the department shall examine it and, if the return shows a

26

greater tax due or collected than the amount of tax remitted

27

with the return, the department shall issue an assessment for

28

the difference, together with an addition of 3% of the

29

difference, which shall be paid to the department within ten

30

days after a notice of the assessment has been mailed to the

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1

taxpayer.

2

(2)  If such assessment is not paid within ten days,

3

there shall be added and paid to the department an additional

4

3% of the difference for each month during which the

5

assessment remains unpaid. The total of all additions shall

6

not exceed 18% of the difference shown on the assessment.

7

(b)  Underestimated tax on returns.--

8

(1)  If the department determines that any return or

9

returns of any taxpayer understates the amount of tax due, it

10

shall determine the proper amount and shall ascertain the

11

difference between the amount of tax shown in the return and

12

the amount determined. The difference may be referred to as

13

the deficiency.

14

(2)  The department shall send a notice of assessment for

15

the deficiency and the reasons to the taxpayer.

16

(3)  The taxpayer shall pay the deficiency to the

17

department within 30 days after a notice of the assessment

18

has been mailed to the taxpayer.

19

(c)  Estimated assessments.--

20

(1)  In the event that any taxpayer fails to file a

21

return required by this chapter, the department may make an

22

estimated assessment, based on information available, of the

23

proper amount of tax owed by the taxpayer and shall send a

24

notice of assessment in the estimated amount to the taxpayer.

25

(2)  The taxpayer shall pay the tax within 30 days after

26

a notice of the estimated assessment has been mailed to the

27

taxpayer.

28

(d)  Studies.--

29

(1)  The department may conduct the studies necessary to

30

compute effective rates by business classification, based

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1

upon the ratio between the tax required to be collected and

2

taxable sales and to use such rates in arriving at the

3

apparent tax liability of a taxpayer.

4

(2)  Any assessment based on such rates shall be prima

5

facie correct, except that the rate shall not be considered

6

where a taxpayer establishes the rate is based on a sample

7

inapplicable to the taxpayer.

8

Section 732.  Reassessment.

9

Any taxpayer against whom an assessment is made may petition

10

the department for a reassessment under Article XXVII of the Tax

11

Reform Code of 1971.

12

Section 733.  (Reserved).

13

Section 734.  Review by Board of Finance and Revenue.

14

(a)  Procedure.--

15

(1)  Within 60 days after the date of mailing of notice

16

by the department of the decision on any petition for

17

reassessment filed with it, the person against whom the

18

assessment was made may, by petition, request the Board of

19

Finance and Revenue to review the decision.

20

(2)  The failure of the department to notify the

21

petitioner of a decision within the time provided by section

22

732 shall act as a denial of such petition, and a petition

23

for review may be filed with the Board of Finance and Revenue

24

within 120 days of the date prior to which the department

25

should have mailed to the petitioner its notice of decision.

26

(b)  Contents of petition for review.--Each petition for

27

review filed under this section shall state specifically the

28

reasons on which the petitioner relies, or shall incorporate by

29

reference the petition for reassessment in which the reasons are

30

stated. The petition shall be supported by affidavit that it is

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1

not made for the purpose of delay and that the facts set forth

2

in the petition are true.

3

(c)  Action by board.--

4

(1)  The Board of Finance and Revenue shall act finally

5

in disposing of petitions filed with it within six months

6

after they have been received.

7

(2)  In the event of the failure of the board to dispose

8

of any petition within six months, the action taken by the

9

department, upon the petition for reassessment, shall be

10

sustained.

11

(3)  The Board of Finance and Revenue may sustain the

12

action taken by the department on the petition for

13

reassessment, or it may reassess the tax due on such basis as

14

it deems according to law.

15

(4)  The board shall give notice of its action to the

16

department and to the petitioner.

17

Section 735.  (Reserved).

18

Section 736.  Burden of proof.

19

In all cases of petitions for reassessment, review or appeal,

20

the burden of proof shall be on the petitioner or appellant, as

21

applicable.

22

Section 737.  Collection of tax.

23

(a)  General rule.--The department shall collect the tax in

24

the manner provided by law for the collection of taxes imposed

25

by the laws of this Commonwealth.

26

(b)  Collection by persons maintaining a place of business in

27

the Commonwealth.--

28

(1)  Every person maintaining a place of business in this

29

Commonwealth and selling or leasing tangible personal

30

property or services, the sale or use of which is subject to

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1

tax shall collect the tax from the purchaser or lessee at the

2

time of making the sale or lease, and shall remit the tax to

3

the department, unless the collection and remittance is

4

otherwise provided for in this chapter.

5

(2)  (i)  Every person not otherwise required to collect

6

tax that delivers tangible personal property to a

7

location within this Commonwealth and that unpacks,

8

positions, places or assembles the tangible personal

9

property shall collect the tax from the purchaser at the

10

time of delivery and shall remit the tax to the

11

department if the person delivering the tangible personal

12

property is responsible for collecting any portion of the

13

purchase price of the tangible personal property

14

delivered and the purchaser has not provided the person

15

with proof that the tax imposed by this chapter has been

16

or will be collected by the seller or that the purchaser

17

provided the seller with a valid exemption certificate.

18

(ii)  Every person required to collect tax under this

19

paragraph shall be deemed to be selling or leasing

20

tangible personal property or services, the sale or use

21

of which is subject to the tax imposed under section 702.

22

(3)  Any person required under this chapter to collect

23

tax from another person, who shall fail to collect the proper

24

amount of the tax, shall be liable for the full amount of the

25

tax which the person should have collected.

26

(c)  Certificate for tax-exempt sales or leases.--

27

(1)  If the tax does not apply to the sale or lease of

28

tangible personal property or services, the purchaser or

29

lessee shall furnish to the vendor a certificate indicating

30

that the sale is not legally subject to the tax. The

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1

certificate shall be in substantially such form as the

2

department may, by regulation, prescribe.

3

(2)  Where the tangible personal property or service is

4

of a type which is never subject to the tax imposed or where

5

the sale or lease is in interstate commerce, the certificate

6

need not be furnished.

7

(3)  Where a series of transactions are not subject to

8

tax, a purchaser or user may furnish the vendor with a single

9

exemption certificate in substantially such form and valid

10

for such period of time as the department may, by regulation,

11

prescribe.

12

(4)  The department shall provide all school districts

13

and intermediate units with a permanent tax exemption number.

14

(5)  An exemption certificate, which is complete and

15

regular and on its face discloses a valid basis of exemption

16

if taken in good faith, shall relieve the vendor from the

17

liability imposed by this section.

18

(6)  An exemption certificate:

19

(i)  accepted by a vendor from a natural person

20

domiciled within this Commonwealth or any association,

21

fiduciary, partnership, corporation or other entity,

22

either authorized to do business within this Commonwealth

23

or having an established place of business within this

24

Commonwealth, in the ordinary course of the vendor's

25

business;

26

(ii)  which on its face discloses a valid basis of

27

exemption consistent with the activity of the purchaser

28

and character of the property or service being purchased

29

or which is provided to the vendor by a charitable,

30

religious, educational or volunteer firefighters'

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1

organization;

2

(iii)  contains the organization's charitable

3

exemption number; and

4

(iv)  which, in the case of any purchase costing $200

5

or more, is accompanied by a sworn declaration on a form

6

to be provided by the department of an intended usage of

7

the property or service which would render it nontaxable,

8

shall be presumed to be taken in good faith and the burden of

9

proving otherwise shall be on the department.

10

(d)  Waivers.--

11

(1)  The department may authorize a purchaser or lessee

12

who acquires tangible personal property or services under

13

circumstances which make it impossible at the time of

14

acquisition to determine the manner in which the tangible

15

personal property or service will be used, to pay the tax

16

directly to the department, and waive the collection of the

17

tax by the vendor.

18

(2)  No such authority shall be granted or exercised,

19

except on application to the department, and the issuance by

20

the department, in its discretion, of a direct payment

21

permit.

22

(3)  If a direct payment permit is granted, its use shall

23

be subject to conditions specified by the department, and the

24

payment of tax on all acquisitions pursuant to the permit

25

shall be made directly to the department by the permit

26

holder.

27

Section 738.  Collection of tax on motor vehicles, trailers and

28

semitrailers.

29

(a)  General rule.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section

30

737(b)(1), tax due on the sale at retail or use of a motor

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1

vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, except mobile homes as defined

2

in 75 Pa.C.S (relating to vehicles), required by law to be

3

registered with the department under the provisions of 75

4

Pa.C.S. shall be paid by the purchaser or user directly to the

5

department on application to the department for an issuance of a

6

certificate of title on the motor vehicle, trailer or

7

semitrailer.

8

(b)  No issuance of certificate of title without payment of

9

tax.--

10

(1)  The department shall not issue a certificate of

11

title until the tax has been paid, or evidence satisfactory

12

to the department has been given to establish that tax is not

13

due.

14

(2)  The department may cancel or suspend any record of

15

certificate of title or registration of a motor vehicle,

16

trailer or semitrailer when the check received in payment of

17

the tax on the vehicle is not paid on demand.

18

(c)  First encumbrance.--The tax shall be considered as a

19

first encumbrance against the vehicle and the vehicle may not be

20

transferred without first payment in full of the tax and any

21

interest additions or penalties which shall accrue in accordance

22

with this chapter.

23

Section 739.  Precollection of tax.

24

(a)  Authorization.--

25

(1)  Except as otherwise provided under paragraph (2),

26

the department may, by regulation, authorize or require

27

particular categories of vendors selling tangible personal

28

property for resale to precollect from the purchaser the tax

29

which the purchaser will collect on making a sale at retail

30

of the tangible personal property.

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1

(2)  The department, pursuant to this section, may not

2

require a vendor to precollect tax from a purchaser who

3

purchases for resale more than $1,000 worth of tangible

4

personal property from the vendor per year.

5

(b)  No license required.--In any case in which a vendor has

6

been authorized to prepay the tax to the person from whom the

7

vendor purchased the tangible personal property for resale, the

8

vendor authorized to prepay the tax may, under the regulations

9

of the department, be relieved from the duty to secure a license

10

if the duty arises only by reason of the vendor's sale of the

11

tangible personal property with respect to which the vendor is,

12

under authorization of the department, to prepay the tax.

13

(c)  Reimbursement.--

14

(1)  The vendor, on making a sale at retail of tangible

15

personal property with respect to which the vendor has

16

prepaid the tax, must separately state at the time of resale

17

the proper amount of tax on the transaction, and reimburse

18

itself on account of the taxes which the vendor has

19

previously prepaid.

20

(2)  If the vendor collects a greater amount of tax in

21

any reporting period than the vendor previously prepaid on

22

purchase of the goods with respect to which the vendor

23

prepaid the tax, the vendor must file a return and remit the

24

balance to the Commonwealth at the time at which a return

25

would otherwise be due with respect to the sales.

26

Section 740.  Bulk and auction sales.

27

A person who sells or causes to be sold at auction, or who

28

sells or transfers in bulk, 51% or more of any stock, of goods,

29

wares or merchandise of any kind, fixtures, machinery,

30

equipment, buildings or real estate, involved in a business for

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1

which the person is licensed or required to be licensed under

2

this chapter, or is liable for filing use tax returns in

3

accordance with this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions

4

of section 1403 of The Fiscal Code.

5

Section 741.  Collection on failure to request reassessment,

6

review or appeal.

7

(a)  General rule.--The department may collect any tax:

8

(1)  If an assessment of tax is not paid within ten days

9

or 30 days, as the case may be, after notice of the

10

assessment to the taxpayer and no petition for reassessment

11

has been filed.

12

(2)  Within 60 days from the date of reassessment, if no

13

petition for review has been filed.

14

(3)  Within 30 days from the date of the decision of the

15

Board of Finance and Revenue on a petition for review, or of

16

the expiration of the board's time for acting on the

17

petition, if no appeal has been made.

18

(4)  In all cases of judicial sales, receiverships,

19

assignments or bankruptcies.

20

(b)  Limitation on defenses.--

21

(1)  Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), in any

22

such case in a proceeding for the collection of the taxes,

23

the person against whom the taxes were assessed shall not be

24

permitted to set up any ground of defense that might have

25

been determined by the department, the Board of Finance and

26

Revenue or the courts.

27

(2)  The defense of failure of the department to mail

28

notice of assessment or reassessment to the taxpayer and the

29

defense of payment of assessment or reassessment may be

30

raised in proceedings for collection by a motion to stay the

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1

proceedings.

2

Section 742.  Lien for taxes.

3

(a)  Nature and effect of lien.--

4

(1)  If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or

5

refuses to pay the same after demand, the amount, including

6

any interest, addition or penalty, together with any costs

7

that may accrue in addition, shall be a lien in favor of the

8

Commonwealth on the property, both real and personal, of the

9

person but only after same has been entered and docketed of

10

record by the prothonotary of the county where the property

11

is situated.

12

(2)  The department may, at any time, transmit to the

13

prothonotaries of the respective counties certified copies of

14

all liens for taxes imposed by this chapter or the Tax Reform

15

Code of 1971 and penalties and interest.

16

(3)  Each prothonotary receiving the lien shall enter and

17

docket the lien of record in the prothonotary's office, which

18

lien shall be indexed as judgments are now indexed.

19

(4)  No prothonotary shall require, as a condition

20

precedent to the entry of the liens, the payment of the costs

21

incident thereto.

22

(b)  Priority status.--

23

(1)  The lien imposed under this section shall have

24

priority from the date of its recording, and shall be fully

25

paid and satisfied out of the proceeds of any judicial sale

26

of property before any other obligation, judgment, claim,

27

lien or estate to which the property may subsequently become

28

subject, except costs of the sale and of the writ on which

29

the sale was made, and real estate taxes and municipal claims

30

against such property, but shall be subordinate to mortgages

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1

and other liens existing and duly recorded or entered of

2

record prior to the recording of the tax lien.

3

(2)  In the case of a judicial sale of property, subject

4

to a lien imposed under this section, on a lien or claim over

5

which the lien imposed under this section has priority, the

6

sale shall discharge the lien imposed under this section to

7

the extent only that the proceeds are applied to its payment,

8

and the lien shall continue in full force and effect as to

9

the balance remaining unpaid.

10

(3)  There shall be no inquisition or condemnation upon

11

any judicial sale of real estate made by the Commonwealth

12

pursuant to the provisions of this section.

13

(4)  (i)  The lien of the taxes, interest and penalties,

14

shall continue for five years from the date of entry, and

15

may be revived and continued in the manner now or

16

hereafter provided for renewal of judgments, or as may be

17

provided in The Fiscal Code, and a writ of execution may

18

directly issue upon the lien without the issuance and

19

prosecution to judgment of a writ of scire facias.

20

(ii)  Not less than ten days before issuance of any

21

execution on the lien, notice of the filing and the

22

effect of the lien shall be sent by registered mail to

23

the taxpayer at the taxpayer's last known post office

24

address.

25

(iii)  The lien shall have no effect on any stock of

26

goods, wares or merchandise regularly sold or leased in

27

the ordinary course of business by the person against

28

whom the lien has been entered, unless and until a writ

29

of execution has been issued and a levy made on the stock

30

of goods, wares and merchandise.

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1

(c)  Penalty.--Any willful failure of any prothonotary to

2

carry out any duty imposed on the prothonotary under this

3

section shall be a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, the

4

prothonotary shall be sentenced to pay a fine not more than

5

$1,000 and costs of prosecution or to a term of imprisonment not

6

exceeding one year, or both.

7

(d)  Priority payment from distribution.--

8

(1)  Except as otherwise provided under the law, in the

9

distribution, voluntary or compulsory, in receivership,

10

bankruptcy or otherwise, of the property or estate of any

11

person, all taxes imposed by this chapter which are due and

12

unpaid and are not collectible under section 725 shall be

13

paid from the first money available for distribution in

14

priority to all other claims and liens, except insofar as the

15

laws of the United States may give a prior claim to the

16

Federal Government.

17

(2)  Any person charged with the administration or

18

distribution of the property or estate, who violates the

19

provisions of this section, shall be personally liable for

20

any taxes imposed by this chapter, which are accrued and

21

unpaid and are chargeable against the person whose property

22

or estate is being administered or distributed.

23

(e)  Construction.--Subject to the limitations contained in

24

this chapter as to the assessment of taxes, nothing contained in

25

this section shall be construed to restrict, prohibit or limit

26

the use by the department in collecting taxes finally due and

27

payable of any other remedy or procedure available at law or

28

equity for the collection of debts.

29

Section 743.  Suit for taxes.

30

(a)  General rule.--At any time within three years after any

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1

tax or any amount of tax shall be finally due and payable, the

2

department may commence an action in the courts of this

3

Commonwealth, of any state or of the United States, in the name

4

of the Commonwealth, to collect the amount of tax due together

5

with additions, interest, penalties and costs in the manner

6

provided at law or in equity for the collection of ordinary

7

debts.

8

(b)  Prosecution by Attorney General.--The Attorney General

9

shall prosecute the action and, except as provided in this

10

chapter, the provisions of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the

11

provisions of the laws of this Commonwealth relating to civil

12

procedures and remedies shall, to the extent that they are

13

applicable, be available in such proceedings.

14

(c)  Construction.--The provisions of this section are in

15

addition to any process, remedy or procedure for the collection

16

of taxes provided by this chapter or by the laws of this

17

Commonwealth, and this section is neither limited by nor

18

intended to limit any such process, remedy or procedure.

19

Section 744.  Tax suit comity.

20

The courts of this Commonwealth shall recognize and enforce

21

liabilities for sales and use taxes, lawfully imposed by any

22

other state if the other state extends a like comity to this

23

Commonwealth.

24

Section 745.  Service.

25

(a)  General rule.--Any person who maintains a place of

26

business in this Commonwealth is deemed to have appointed the

27

Secretary of the Commonwealth as the person's agent for the

28

acceptance of service of process or notice in any proceedings

29

for the enforcement of the civil provisions of this chapter, and

30

any service made upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth as agent

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1

shall be of the same legal force and validity as if the service

2

had been personally made on the person.

3

(b)  Substitute service.--Where service cannot be made on the

4

person in the manner provided by other laws of this Commonwealth

5

relating to service of process, service may be made on the

6

Secretary of the Commonwealth and, in such case, a copy of the

7

process or notice shall also be personally served on any agent

8

or representative of the person who may be found within this

9

Commonwealth, or where no such agent or representative may be

10

found a copy of the process or notice shall be sent by

11

registered mail to the person at the last known address of the

12

person's principal place of business, home office or residence.

13

Section 746.  Collection and payment of tax on credit sales.

14

If any sale subject to tax under this chapter is wholly or

15

partly on credit, the vendor shall require the purchaser to pay

16

in cash at the time the sale is made, or within 30 days

17

thereafter, the total amount of tax due upon the entire purchase

18

price. The vendor shall remit the tax to the department,

19

regardless of whether payment was made by the purchaser to the

20

vendor, with the next return required to be filed under section

21

717.

22

Section 747.  Prepayment of tax.

23

(a)  General rule.--Whenever a vendor is prohibited by law or

24

governmental regulation to charge and collect the purchase price

25

in advance of or at the time of delivery, the vendor shall

26

prepay the tax as required by section 722, but in that case, if

27

the purchaser fails to pay to the vendor the total amount of the

28

purchase price and the tax and the amount is written off as

29

uncollectible by the vendor, the vendor shall not be liable for

30

the tax and shall be entitled to a credit or refund of the tax

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1

paid.

2

(b)  Subsequent collection of tax.--If the purchase price is

3

thereafter collected, in whole or in part, the amount collected

4

shall be first applied to the payment of the entire tax portion

5

of the bill, and shall be remitted to the department by the

6

vendor with the first return filed after such collection.

7

(c)  Time period for refund.--Tax prepaid shall be subject to

8

refund on petition to the department under the provisions of

9

section 752, filed within 105 days of the close of the fiscal

10

year in which the accounts are written off.

11

Section 747.1.  Refund of sales tax attributed to bad debt.

12

(a)  General rule.--A vendor may file a petition for refund

13

of sales tax paid to the department that is attributed to a bad

14

debt if all of the following apply:

15

(1)  The purchaser fails to pay the vendor the total

16

purchase price.

17

(2)  The purchase price is written off, either in whole

18

or in part, as a bad debt on the vendor's books and records.

19

(3)  The bad debt has been deducted for Federal income

20

tax purposes under section 166 of the Internal Revenue Code

21

of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 166).

22

The petition must be filed with the department under Article

23

XXVII of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 within the time limitations

24

prescribed by section 3003.1 of the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

25

(b)  Limitation.--

26

(1)  The refund authorized by this section shall be

27

limited to the sales tax paid to the department that is

28

attributed to the bad debt, less any discount under section

29

727.

30

(2)  Partial payments by the purchaser to the vendor

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1

shall be prorated between the original purchase price and the

2

sales tax due on the sale.

3

(3)  Payments made to a vendor on any transaction which

4

includes both taxable and nontaxable components shall be

5

allocated proportionally between the taxable and nontaxable

6

components.

7

(c)  Assignment.--A vendor may assign its right to petition

8

and receive a refund of sales tax attributed to a bad debt to an

9

affiliated entity. A vendor may not assign its right to petition

10

and receive a refund of sales tax attributed to a bad debt to

11

any other person.

12

(d)  Items not refundable.--No refund shall be granted under

13

this section for interest, finance charges or expenses incurred

14

in attempting to collect any amount receivable.

15

(e)  Contents of petition for refund.--The documentation,

16

procedures and methods for claiming and calculating the refund

17

allowed under this section shall be in such form as the

18

department may prescribe.

19

(f)  Subsequent collection.--If the purchase price that is

20

attributed to a prior bad debt refund is collected in whole or

21

in part, the vendor or affiliated entity shall remit the

22

proportional tax to the department with the first return filed

23

after the collection.

24

(g)  Interest prohibited.--Notwithstanding the provisions of

25

section 806.1 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176),

26

known as The Fiscal Code, no interest shall be paid by the

27

Commonwealth on refunds of sales tax attributed to bad debt

28

under this section.

29

(h)  Administration.--

30

(1)  No refund or credit of sales tax shall be made for

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1

any uncollected purchase price or bad debt except as

2

authorized by this section.

3

(2)  No deduction or credit for bad debt may be taken on

4

any return filed with the department.

5

(3)  This section shall provide the exclusive procedure

6

for claiming a refund or credit of sales tax attributed to

7

uncollected purchase price or bad debt.

8

(i)  Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term

9

"affiliated entity" means any corporation that is part of the

10

same affiliated group as the vendor as defined by section

11

1504(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

12

Section 748.  Registration of transient vendors.

13

(a)  General rule.--Prior to conducting business or otherwise

14

commencing operations in this Commonwealth, a transient vendor

15

shall register with the department. The application for

16

registration shall be in such form and contain such information

17

as the department, by regulation, shall prescribe and shall set

18

forth truthfully and accurately the information desired by the

19

department. This registration shall be renewed and updated

20

annually.

21

(b)  Certificate to be issued.--After registration and the

22

posting of the bond required by section 748.1, the department

23

shall issue to the transient vendor a certificate valid for one

24

year. On renewal of registration, the department shall issue a

25

new certificate valid for one year, if the department is

26

satisfied that the transient vendor has complied with the

27

provisions of this chapter.

28

(c)  Possession and exhibition of certificate.--The transient

29

vendor shall possess the certificate at all times when

30

conducting business within this Commonwealth and shall exhibit

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1

the certificate upon demand by authorized employees of the

2

department or any law enforcement officer.

3

(d)  Contents of certificate.--The certificate issued by the

4

department shall state that the transient vendor named in the

5

certificate has registered with the department and shall provide

6

notice to the transient vendor that:

7

(1)  The transient vendor must notify the department in

8

writing before it enters this Commonwealth to conduct

9

business, of the location or locations where it intends to

10

conduct business and the date or dates on which it intends to

11

conduct business.

12

(2)  Failure to notify or giving false information to the

13

department may result in suspension or revocation of the

14

transient vendor's certificate.

15

(3)  Conducting business in this Commonwealth after a

16

certificate has been suspended or revoked may result in

17

criminal conviction and the imposition of fines or other

18

penalties.

19

Section 748.1.  Bond.

20

(a)  General rule.--Upon registration with the department, a

21

transient vendor shall also post a bond with the department in

22

the amount of $500 as surety for compliance with the provisions

23

of this chapter. After a period of demonstrated compliance with

24

these provisions or, if the transient vendor provides the

25

license number of a promoter who has notified the department of

26

a show, in accordance with the provisions of section 748.6(a),

27

the department may reduce the amount of bond required of a

28

transient vendor or may eliminate the bond entirely.

29

(b)  Voluntary suspension of certificate.--A transient vendor

30

may file a request for voluntary suspension of certificate with

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1

the department. If the department is satisfied that the

2

provisions of this chapter have been complied with and has

3

possession of the transient vendor's certificate, it shall

4

return the bond posted to the transient vendor.

5

Section 748.2.  Notification to department.

6

(a)  General rule.--Prior to entering this Commonwealth to

7

conduct business, a transient vendor shall notify the department

8

in writing of the location or locations where it intends to

9

conduct business and the date or dates on which it intends to

10

conduct business.

11

(b)  Inspection of records.--While conducting business in

12

this Commonwealth, the transient vendor shall permit authorized

13

employees of the department to inspect its sales records,

14

including, but not limited to, sales receipts and inventory or

15

price lists and to permit inspection of the tangible personal

16

property offered for sale at retail.

17

(c)  Conditions for suspension or revocation of

18

certificate.--The department may suspend or revoke a certificate

19

issued to a transient vendor if the transient vendor:

20

(1)  fails to notify the department as required by

21

subsection (a);

22

(2)  provides the department with false information

23

regarding the conduct of business in this Commonwealth;

24

(3)  fails to collect sales tax on all tangible personal

25

property or services sold subject to the sales tax; or

26

(4)  fails to file with the department a tax return as

27

required by section 717.

28

(d)  Regulations.--The department shall promulgate the rules

29

and regulations necessary to implement this section.

30

Section 748.3.  Seizure of property.

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1

(a)  General rule.--If a transient vendor conducting business

2

in this Commonwealth fails to exhibit a valid certificate on

3

demand by authorized employees of the department, those

4

authorized employees shall seize, without warrant, the tangible

5

personal property and the automobile, truck or other means of

6

transportation used to transport or carry that property. All

7

property seized shall be deemed contraband and shall be subject

8

to immediate forfeiture proceedings instituted by the department

9

pursuant to procedures adopted by regulation, except as

10

otherwise provided by this section.

11

(b)  Release of seized property.--Property seized pursuant to

12

subsection (a) shall be released on:

13

(1)  presentation of a valid certificate to authorized

14

employees of the department; or

15

(2)  registration by the transient vendor with the

16

department and the posting of a bond in the amount of $500,

17

either immediately or within 15 days after the property is

18

seized.

19

Section 748.4.  Fines.

20

Any transient vendor conducting business in this Commonwealth

21

while its certificate is suspended or revoked, as provided by

22

sections 748.1(b) and 748.2(c), commits a misdemeanor of the

23

third degree and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a

24

fine of not more than $2,500 for each offense.

25

Section 748.5.  Transient vendors subject to chapter.

26

Except as otherwise provided, a transient vendor shall be

27

subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner as

28

a vendor who maintains a place of business in this Commonwealth.

29

Section 748.6.  Promoters.

30

(a)  General rule.--A promoter of a show or shows in this

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1

Commonwealth may annually file with the department an

2

application for a promoter's license stating the location and

3

dates of such show or shows. The application shall be filed at

4

least 30 days prior to the opening of the first show and shall

5

be in such form as the department may prescribe.

6

(b)  License.--

7

(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the

8

department shall, within 15 days after receipt of an

9

application for a license, issue to the promoter without

10

charge a license to operate such shows.

11

(2)  If application for a license under this section has

12

been timely filed and if the license has not been received by

13

the promoter prior to the opening of the show, the

14

authorization contained in this section with respect to the

15

obtaining of a promoter's license shall be deemed to have

16

been complied with, unless or until the promoter receives

17

notice from the department denying the application for a

18

promoter's license.

19

(c)  Compliance.--Any promoter who is a vendor under the

20

provisions of section 701 shall comply with all the provisions

21

of this chapter applicable to vendors and with the provisions of

22

this section applicable to promoters.

23

(d)  Prohibited conduct.--No licensed promoter shall permit

24

any person to display for sale or to sell tangible personal

25

property or services subject to tax under section 702 at a show

26

unless the person is licensed under section 708 and provides to

27

the promoter the information required under law.

28

(e)  Penalties.--

29

(1)  Any licensed promoter who:

30

(i)  permits any person to display for sale or to

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1

sell tangible personal property or service without first

2

having been licensed under section 708;

3

(ii)  fails to maintain records of a show as required

4

by law; or

5

(iii)  knowingly maintains false records or fails to

6

comply with any provision contained in this section or

7

any regulation promulgated by the department pertaining

8

to shows,

9

shall be subject to denial of a license or the revocation of

10

any existing license issued pursuant to this section.

11

(2)  The department may deny the promoter a license

12

certificate to operate a show for a period of not more than

13

six months from the date of such denial. The penalty shall be

14

in addition to any other penalty imposed by this chapter.

15

(3)  Within 20 days of notice of denial or revocation of

16

a license by the department, the promoter may petition the

17

department for a hearing pursuant to 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to

18

administrative law and procedure).

19

Section 749.  (Reserved).

20

Section 750.  (Reserved).

21

Section 751.  (Reserved).

22

Section 752.  Refunds.

23

(a)  General rule.--Subject to the provisions of subsection

24

(b), the department shall, pursuant to the provisions of Article

25

XXVII of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, refund all taxes, interest

26

and penalties paid to the Commonwealth under the provisions of

27

this chapter and to which the Commonwealth is not rightfully

28

entitled. The refunds shall be made to the person, the person's

29

heirs, successors, assigns or other personal representatives,

30

who actually paid the tax.

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1

(b)  Exception.--No refund shall be made under this section

2

with respect to any payment made by reason of an assessment with

3

respect to which a taxpayer has filed a petition for

4

reassessment pursuant to section 2702 of the Tax Reform Code of

5

1971 to the extent that the petition has been determined

6

adversely to the taxpayer by a decision which is no longer

7

subject to further review or appeal.

8

(c)  Construction.--Nothing contained in this section shall

9

be deemed to prohibit a taxpayer who has filed a timely petition

10

for reassessment from amending it to a petition for refund where

11

the petitioner has paid the tax assessed.

12

Section 753.  Refund petition.

13

(a)  General rule.--Except as provided for in subsection (b)

14

and section 756, the refund or credit of tax, interest or

15

penalty provided for by section 752 shall be made only where the

16

person who has actually paid the tax files a petition for refund

17

with the department under Article XXVII of the Tax Reform Code

18

of 1971, within the limits of section 3003.1 of the Tax Reform

19

Code of 1971.

20

(b)  Assessments.--A refund or credit of tax, interest or

21

penalty paid as a result of an assessment made by the department

22

under section 731 shall be made only where the person who has

23

actually paid the tax files with the department a petition for a

24

refund with the department under Article XXVII of the Tax Reform

25

Code of 1971 within the time limits of section 3003.1 of the Tax

26

Reform Code of 1971. The filing of a petition for refund under

27

the provisions of this subsection shall not affect the abatement

28

of interest, additions or penalties to which the person may be

29

entitled by reason of the person's payment of the assessment.

30

Section 754.  (Reserved).

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1

Section 755.  (Reserved).

2

Section 756.  Extended time for filing special petition for

3

refund.

4

(a)  General rule.--Any party to a transaction who has paid

5

tax by reason of a transaction with respect to which the

6

department is assessing tax against another person may, within

7

six months after the filing by the department of the assessment

8

against the other person, file a special petition for refund,

9

notwithstanding the person's failure to timely file a petition

10

pursuant to section 3003.1 of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. The

11

provisions of Article XXVII of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 shall

12

be applicable to the special petition for refund, except that

13

the department need not act on the petition until there is a

14

final determination as to the propriety of the assessment filed

15

against the other party to the transaction. Where a petition is

16

filed under this provision in order to take advantage of the

17

extended period of limitations, overpayments by the petitioner

18

shall be refunded but only to the extent of the actual tax,

19

without consideration of interest and penalties, paid by the

20

other party to the transaction.

21

(b)  Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to avoid

22

duplicate payment of tax where a determination is made by the

23

department that one party to a transaction is subject to tax,

24

and another party to the transaction has previously paid tax

25

with respect to the transaction and, as such, this section shall

26

be construed as extending right beyond that provided for by

27

section 753, and not to limit the other section.

28

Section 757.  (Reserved).

29

Section 758.  Limitation on assessment and collection.

30

The amount of the tax imposed by this chapter or the Tax

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1

Reform Code of 1971 shall be assessed within three years after

2

the date when the return provided for by section 717(a) or (c)

3

is filed or the end of the year in which the tax liability

4

arises, whichever occurs later. Any assessment may be made at

5

any time during the period notwithstanding that the department

6

may have made one or more previous assessments against the

7

taxpayer for the year in question, or for any part of the year.

8

In any case, no credit shall be given for any penalty previously

9

assessed or paid.

10

Section 759.  Failure to file return.

11

Where no return is filed, the amount of the tax due may be

12

assessed and collected at any time as to taxable transactions

13

not reported.

14

Section 760.  False or fraudulent return.

15

Where the taxpayer willfully files a false or fraudulent

16

return with intent to evade the tax imposed by this chapter, the

17

amount of tax due may be assessed and collected at any time.

18

Section 761.  Extension of limitation period.

19

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter

20

where, before the expiration of the period prescribed in that

21

other provision for the assessment of a tax, a taxpayer has

22

consented in writing that the period be extended, the amount of

23

tax due may be assessed at any time within the extended period.

24

The period so extended may be extended further by subsequent

25

consents in writing made before the expiration of the extended

26

period.

27

Section 762.  (Reserved).

28

Section 763.  (Reserved).

29

Section 764.  (Reserved).

30

Section 765.  Interest.

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1

If any amount of tax imposed by this chapter is not paid to

2

the department on or before the last date prescribed for

3

payment, interest on the amount at the rate of .75% per month

4

for each month, or fraction thereof, from the date, shall be

5

paid for the period from the last date to the date paid. The

6

last date prescribed for payment shall be determined under

7

section 722(a) or (c) without regard to any extension of time

8

for payment. In the case of any amount assessed as a deficiency

9

or as an estimated assessment, the date prescribed for payment

10

shall be 30 days after notice of the assessment.

11

Section 766.  Additions to tax.

12

(a)  Failure to file return.--In the case of failure to file

13

any return required by section 715 on the date prescribed for

14

the return, determined with regard to any extension of time for

15

filing, and, in the case in which a return filed understates the

16

true amount due by more than 50%, there shall be added to the

17

amount of tax actually due 5% of the amount of the tax if the

18

failure to file a proper return is for not more than one month,

19

with an additional 5% for each additional month, or fraction

20

thereof, during which such failure continues, not exceeding 25%

21

in the aggregate. In every case at least $2 shall be added.

22

(b)  Addition for understatement.--There shall be added to

23

every assessment under section 731(b) an addition equal to 5% of

24

the amount of the understatement and no addition to the tax

25

shall be paid under section 731(a).

26

(c)  Interest.--If the department assesses a tax according to

27

section 731(a), (b) or (c), there shall be added to the amount

28

of the deficiency interest at the rate of .75% per month for

29

each month, or fraction thereof, from the date prescribed by

30

subsection (a) or section 722(c) for the payment of the tax to

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1

the date of notice of the assessment.

2

Section 767.  Penalties.

3

(a)  General rule.--The penalties, additions, interest and

4

liabilities provided by this chapter shall be paid on notice and

5

demand by the department, and shall be assessed and collected in

6

the same manner as taxes. Except as otherwise provided, any

7

reference in this chapter to tax imposed by this chapter shall

8

be deemed also to refer to the penalties, additions, interest

9

and liabilities provided by this chapter.

10

(b)  Monetary penalty.--Any person who willfully attempts, in

11

any manner, to evade or defeat the tax imposed by this chapter,

12

or the payment thereof, or to assist any other person to evade

13

or defeat the tax imposed by this chapter, or the payment

14

thereof, or to receive a refund improperly shall, in addition to

15

other penalties provided by law, be liable for a penalty equal

16

to one-half of the total amount of the tax evaded.

17

(c)  Burden of proof.--In any direct proceeding arising out

18

of a petition for reassessment or refund as provided in this

19

chapter, in which an issue of fact is raised with respect to

20

whether a return is fraudulent or with respect to the propriety

21

of the imposition by the department of the penalty prescribed in

22

subsection (b), the burden of proof with respect to the issue

23

shall be on the department.

24

Section 768.  Criminal offenses.

25

(a)  False returns.--Any person who with intent to defraud

26

the Commonwealth willfully makes, or causes to be made, any

27

return required by this chapter which is false commits a

28

misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a

29

fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding

30

three years, or both.

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1

(b)  Other offenses.--Except as otherwise provided by

2

subsection (a) and subject to the provisions of subsection (c),

3

any person who:

4

(1)  advertises or holds out or states to the public or

5

to any purchaser or user, directly or indirectly, that the

6

tax or any part imposed by this chapter will be absorbed by

7

the person, or that it will not be added to the purchase

8

price of the tangible personal property or services described

9

in section 701(k)(2), (3), (4) and (11) through (18) sold or,

10

if added, that the tax or any part will be refunded, other

11

than when the person refunds the purchase price because of

12

the property being returned to the vendor;

13

(2)  sells or leases tangible personal property or the

14

services, the sale or use of which by the purchaser is

15

subject to tax under this chapter, and willfully fails to

16

collect the tax from the purchaser and timely remit the same

17

to the department;

18

(3)  willfully fails or neglects to timely file any

19

return or report required by this chapter or, as a taxpayer,

20

refuses to timely pay any tax, penalty or interest imposed or

21

provided for by this chapter, or willfully fails to preserve

22

the person's books, papers and records as directed by the

23

department;

24

(4)  refuses to permit the department or any of its

25

authorized agents to examine the person's books, records or

26

papers, or who knowingly makes any incomplete, false or

27

fraudulent return or report;

28

(5)  does or attempts to do anything to prevent the full

29

disclosure of the amount or character of taxable sales

30

purchases or use made by himself or any other person;

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1

(6)  provides any person with a false statement as to the

2

payment of tax with respect to particular tangible personal

3

property or services; or

4

(7)  makes, utters or issues a false or fraudulent

5

exemption certificate;

6

commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be sentenced to

7

pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution or

8

to imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

9

(c)  Exceptions.--

10

(1)  Any person who maintains a place of business outside

11

this Commonwealth may absorb the tax with respect to taxable

12

sales made in the normal course of business to customers

13

present at that place of business without being subject to

14

the penalty and fines.

15

(2)  Advertising tax-included prices shall be

16

permissible, if the prepaid services are sold by the service

17

provider, for prepaid telecommunications services not

18

evidenced by the transfer of tangible personal property or

19

for prepaid mobile telecommunications services.

20

(d)  Penalties are cumulative.--The penalties imposed by this

21

section shall be in addition to any other penalties imposed by

22

any provision of this chapter.

23

Section 769.  Abatement of additions or penalties.

24

On the filing of a petition for reassessment or a petition

25

for refund as provided under this chapter by a taxpayer,

26

additions or penalties imposed on the taxpayer by this chapter

27

or the Tax Reform Code of 1971 may be waived or abated, in whole

28

or in part, where the petitioner has established that the

29

petitioner has acted in good faith, without negligence and with

30

no intent to defraud.

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1

Section 770.  Rules and regulations.

2

(a)  General rule.--The department shall enforce the

3

provisions of this chapter and shall prescribe, adopt,

4

promulgate and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent

5

with the provisions of this chapter, relating to any matter or

6

thing pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the

7

provisions of this chapter, and the collection of taxes,

8

penalties and interest imposed by this chapter. The department

9

may prescribe the extent, if any, to which any of the rules and

10

regulations shall be applied without retroactive effect.

11

(b)  Determination of purchase price.--

12

(1)  In determining the purchase price of taxable sales

13

where, because of affiliation of interests between the vendor

14

and the purchaser or irrespective of any such affiliation, if

15

for any other reason, the purchase price of the sale is in

16

the opinion of the department not indicative of the true

17

value of the article or the fair price of the article, the

18

department shall, pursuant to uniform and equitable rules,

19

determine the amount of constructive purchase price on the

20

basis of which the tax shall be computed and levied.

21

(2)  The rules shall provide for a constructive amount of

22

a purchase price for each sale, which price shall equal a

23

price for the article which would naturally and fairly be

24

charged in an arm's-length transaction in which the element

25

of common interests between vendor and purchaser or, if no

26

common interest exists, any other element causing a

27

distortion of the price or value is absent.

28

(3)  For the purpose of this chapter where a taxable sale

29

occurs between a parent corporation and a subsidiary

30

affiliate or controlled corporation of such parent, there

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1

shall be a rebuttable presumption that because of such common

2

interest the transaction was not at arm's-length.

3

Section 771.  Keeping of records.

4

(a)  Persons liable for taxes.--Every person liable for any

5

tax imposed by this chapter, or for the collection of the tax,

6

shall keep the records, render such statements, make the returns

7

and comply with the rules and regulations as the department may,

8

from time to time, prescribe regarding matters pertinent to the

9

person's business. Whenever in the judgment of the department it

10

is necessary, it may require any person, by notice served on the

11

person, or by regulations, to make the returns, render the

12

statements or keep the records as the department deems

13

sufficient to show whether the person is liable to pay or

14

collect tax under this chapter.

15

(b)  Persons collecting taxes.--Any person liable to collect

16

tax from another person under the provisions of this chapter

17

shall file reports, keep records, make payments and be subject

18

to interest and penalties as provided for under this chapter, in

19

the same manner as if the person were directly subject to the

20

tax.

21

(c)  Nonresidents.--

22

(1)  A nonresident who does business in this Commonwealth

23

as a retail dealer shall keep adequate records of the

24

business and of the tax due with respect to the business,

25

which records shall at all times be retained within this

26

Commonwealth unless retention outside this Commonwealth is

27

authorized by the department.

28

(2)  No taxes collected from purchasers shall be sent

29

outside this Commonwealth without the written consent of and

30

in accordance with conditions prescribed by the department.

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1

(3)  The department may require a taxpayer who desires to

2

retain records or tax collections outside this Commonwealth

3

to assume reasonable out-of-State audit expenses.

4

(d)  Retail dealers.--

5

(1)  Any person doing business as a retail dealer who at

6

the same time is engaged in another business which does not

7

involve the making of sales taxable under this chapter shall

8

keep separate books and records of the person's businesses so

9

as to show the sales taxable under this chapter separately

10

from the sales not taxable under this chapter.

11

(2)  If the person fails to keep such separate books and

12

records, the person shall be liable for tax at the rate

13

designated in section 702 on the entire purchase price of

14

sales from both or all of the person's businesses.

15

(e)  Segregation of taxes required.--

16

(1)  In those instances where a vendor gives no sales

17

memoranda or uses registers showing only total sales, the

18

vendor shall adopt some method of segregating tax from sales

19

receipts and keep records showing the segregation, all in

20

accordance with proper accounting and business practices.

21

(2)  A vendor may apply to the department for permission

22

to use a collection and recording procedure which will show

23

the information as the law requires with reasonable accuracy

24

and simplicity. The application must contain a detailed

25

description of the procedure to be adopted.

26

(3)  Permission to use the proposed procedure is not to

27

be construed as relieving the vendor from remitting the full

28

amount of tax collected.

29

(4)  The department may revoke the permission on 30 days'

30

notice to the vendor.

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1

(5)  Refusal of the department to grant permission in

2

advance to use the procedure shall not be construed to

3

invalidate a procedure which on examination shows the

4

information as the law requires.

5

Section 771.1.  Reports and records of promoters.

6

Every licensed promoter shall keep a record of the date and

7

place of each show and the name, address, sales, use and hotel

8

occupancy license number of every person whom the licensed

9

promoter permits to display for sale or to sell tangible

10

personal property or services subject to tax under section 702

11

at the show. The records shall be open for inspection and

12

examination at any reasonable time by the department or a duly

13

authorized representative, and the records shall, unless the

14

department consents in writing to an earlier destruction, be

15

preserved for three years after the date the report was filed or

16

the date it was due, whichever occurs later, except that the

17

department may by regulation require that they be kept for a

18

longer period of time.

19

Section 772.  Examinations.

20

(a)  Power of department.--The department or any of its

21

authorized agents may examine the books, papers and records of

22

any taxpayer in order to verify the accuracy and completeness of

23

any return made or if no return was made, to ascertain and

24

assess the tax imposed by this chapter. The department may

25

require the preservation of all such books, papers and records

26

for any period deemed proper by it but not to exceed three years

27

from the end of the calendar year to which the records relate.

28

(b)  Duty of taxpayers.--Every taxpayer shall give to the

29

department, or its agent, the means, facilities and opportunity

30

for the examinations and investigation.

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1

(c)  Other powers of department.--

2

(1)  The department is further authorized to examine any

3

person, under oath, concerning taxable sales or use by any

4

taxpayer or concerning any other matter relating to the

5

enforcement or administration of this chapter, and to this

6

end may compel the production of books, papers and records

7

and the attendance of all persons whether as parties or

8

witnesses whom it believes to have knowledge of such matters.

9

(2)  The procedure for such hearings or examinations

10

shall be the same as that provided by the act of April 9,

11

1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, relating to

12

inquisitorial powers of fiscal officers.

13

Section 773.  Records and examinations of delivery agents.

14

Every agent for the purpose of delivery of goods shipped into

15

this Commonwealth by a nonresident, including, but not limited

16

to, a common carrier, shall maintain adequate records of such

17

deliveries pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the

18

department and shall make the records available to the

19

department upon request after due notice.

20

Section 774.  Unauthorized disclosure.

21

Any information gained by the department as a result of any

22

return, examination, investigation, hearing or verification

23

required or authorized by this chapter shall be confidential,

24

except for official purposes and except in accordance with

25

proper judicial order or as otherwise provided by law, and any

26

person unlawfully divulging such information commits a

27

misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a

28

fine of not more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution or to

29

imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

30

Section 775.  Cooperation with other governments.

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1

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 774, the department

2

may permit the Commissioner of Internal Revenue of the United

3

States, or the proper officer of any state, or the authorized

4

representative of either such officer, to inspect the tax

5

returns of any taxpayer, or may furnish to the officer or to the

6

officer's authorized representative an abstract of the return of

7

any taxpayer, or supply the officer or the authorized

8

representative with information concerning any item contained in

9

any return or disclosed by the report of any examination or

10

investigation of the return of any taxpayer. This permission

11

shall be granted only if the statutes of the United States or of

12

such other state, as the case may be, grant substantially

13

similar privileges to the proper officer of the Commonwealth

14

charged with the administration of this chapter.

15

Section 776.  Interstate compacts.

16

(a)  General rule.--The Governor, or the Governor's

17

authorized representative, may confer with the Governor and the

18

authorized representatives of other states with respect to

19

reciprocal use tax collection between the Commonwealth and such

20

other states.

21

(b)  Other powers.--The Governor, or the Governor's

22

authorized representative, may join with the authorities of

23

other states to conduct joint investigations, to exchange

24

information, hold joint hearings and enter into compacts or

25

interstate agreements with such other states to accomplish

26

uniform reciprocal use tax collections between those states who

27

are parties to any compact or interstate agreement and the

28

Commonwealth.

29

Section 777.  Bonds.

30

(a)  Procedure.--

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1

(1)  Whenever the department, in its discretion, deems it

2

necessary to protect the revenues to be obtained under the

3

provisions of this chapter, it may require any nonresident

4

natural person or any foreign corporation, association,

5

fiduciary, partnership or other entity, not authorized to do

6

in this Commonwealth or not having an established place of

7

business in this Commonwealth and subject to the tax imposed

8

by section 702, to file a bond issued by a surety company

9

authorized to do business in this Commonwealth and approved

10

by the Insurance Commissioner as to solvency and

11

responsibility, in such amounts as it may fix, to secure the

12

payment of any tax or penalties due, or which may become due,

13

from a natural person or corporation.

14

(2)  In order to protect the revenues to be obtained

15

under the provisions of this chapter, the department shall

16

require any nonresident natural person or any foreign

17

corporation, association, fiduciary, partnership or entity,

18

who or which is a building contractor, or who or which is a

19

supplier delivering building materials for work in this

20

Commonwealth and is not authorized to do business in this

21

Commonwealth or does not have an established place of

22

business in this Commonwealth and is subject to the tax

23

imposed by section 702, to file a bond issued by a surety

24

company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth and

25

approved by the Insurance Commissioner as to solvency and

26

responsibility, in the amounts as it may fix, to secure the

27

payments of any tax or penalties due, or which may become

28

due, from a natural person, corporation or other entity.

29

(3)  The department may also require a bond of any person

30

petitioning the department for reassessment, in the case of

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1

any assessment over $500 or where it is of the opinion that

2

the ultimate collection is in jeopardy.

3

(4)  (i)  The department may, for a period of three

4

years, require a bond of any person who has on three or

5

more occasions within a 12-month period either filed a

6

return or made payment to the department more than 30

7

days late.

8

(ii)  If the department determines that a taxpayer is

9

to file a bond, the department shall give notice to the

10

taxpayer to that effect, specifying the amount of the

11

bond required.

12

(iii)  The taxpayer shall file a bond within five

13

days after the giving of the notice by the department

14

unless, within the five-day period, the taxpayer requests

15

in writing a hearing before the secretary or the

16

secretary's representative at which hearing the

17

necessity, propriety and amount of the bond shall be

18

determined by the secretary or a representative. The

19

determination shall be final and shall be complied within

20

15 days after notice is mailed to the taxpayer.

21

(b)  Alternative security.--

22

(1)  In lieu of the bond required by this section,

23

securities approved by the department, or cash in the amount

24

as it may prescribe, may be deposited.

25

(2)  Such securities or cash shall be kept in the custody

26

of the department, who may, at any time, without notice to

27

the depositor, apply them to any tax and/or interest or

28

penalties due, and for that purpose the securities may be

29

sold by the department, at public or private sale, on five

30

days' written notice to the depositor.

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1

(c)  Lien may be filed.--

2

(1)  The department may file a lien pursuant to section

3

742 against any taxpayer who fails to file a bond when

4

required to do so under this section.

5

(2)  All funds received on execution of the judgment on

6

the lien shall be refunded to the taxpayer with 3% interest

7

should a final determination be made that the taxpayer does

8

not owe any payment to the department.

9

SUBCHAPTER G

10

FUNDING PROVISIONS

11

Section 780.  (Reserved).

12

Section 781.  Appropriation for refunds.

13

So much of the proceeds of the tax imposed by this chapter as

14

shall be necessary for the payment of refunds, enforcement or

15

administration under this chapter is hereby appropriated for

16

those purposes.

17

Section 781.1.  Construction.

18

To the extent that the language of this chapter is identical

19

to that of equivalent provisions in the former act of March 6,

20

1956 (P.L.1228, No.381), known as the Tax Act of 1963 for

21

Education, or Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, that

22

language shall be deemed a reenactment of such identical

23

provisions.

24

Section 781.2.  Transfers to Public Transportation Reserve Fund.

25

(a)  Establishment of fund.--The amount of additional

26

revenues that are generated by taxes received under this chapter

27

that are necessary to replace the revenue earmarked for

28

transportation under 74 Pa.C.S. § 1506 (relating to fund), not

29

to exceed 4.4% of such additional revenues, shall be deposited

30

in the Public Transportation Reserve Fund which is hereby

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1

established in the State Treasury and shall be disbursed as

2

provided under an act of the General Assembly enacted after the

3

effective date of this section.

4

(b)  Time period for transfers.--Within 30 days of the close

5

of a calendar month, 1.01% of the taxes and other sums specified

6

in subsection (a) received in the prior calendar month shall be

7

transferred to the Public Transportation Reserve Fund.

8

Section 782.  Transfers to Education Stabilization Fund.

9

(a)  Legislative intent.--It is the intent of the General

10

Assembly to broaden the sales and use tax base in order to

11

provide funds for the operating expenses of school districts and

12

as a means to abolish the school property tax.

13

(b)  Source of funding for transfers.--Except as otherwise

14

provided under section 781.2, all revenues received on or after

15

January 1, 2013, from the tax imposed by this chapter shall be

16

transferred to the Education Stabilization Fund.

17

CHAPTER 9

18

SENIOR CITIZENS PROPERTY TAX AND

19

RENT REBATE ASSISTANCE

20

Section 901.  Scope of chapter.

21

This chapter provides senior citizens with assistance in the

22

form of property tax and rent rebates.

23

Section 902.  (Reserved).

24

Section 903.  Definitions.

25

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

26

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

27

context clearly indicates otherwise:

28

"Board."  The Board of Finance and Revenue of the

29

Commonwealth.

30

"Claimant."  A person who files a claim for property tax

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1

rebate or rent rebate in lieu of property taxes and:

2

(1)  was at least 65 years of age or whose spouse, if a

3

member of the household, was at least 65 years of age during

4

a calendar year in which real property taxes, rent and

5

inflation costs were due and payable;

6

(2)  was a widow or widower and was at least 50 years of

7

age during a calendar year or part thereof in which real

8

property taxes, rent and inflation costs were due and

9

payable; or

10

(3)  was a permanently disabled person 18 years of age or

11

older during a calendar year or part thereof in which the

12

real property taxes, rent and inflation costs were due and

13

payable.

14

"Homestead."  A dwelling, whether owned or rented, and so

15

much of the land surrounding it, as is reasonably necessary for

16

the use of the dwelling as a home, occupied by a claimant. The

17

term includes, but is not limited to:

18

(1)  Premises occupied by reason of ownership or lease in

19

a cooperative housing corporation.

20

(2)  A mobile home which is assessed as realty for local

21

property tax purposes and the land, if owned or rented by the

22

claimant, upon which the mobile home is situated, and any

23

other similar living accommodation.

24

(3)  A part of a multidwelling or multipurpose building

25

and a part of the land upon which it is built.

26

(4)  Premises occupied by reason of the claimant's

27

ownership or rental of a dwelling located on land owned by a

28

nonprofit incorporated association, of which the claimant is

29

a member, if the claimant is required to pay a pro rata share

30

of the property taxes levied against the association's land.

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1

(5)  Premises occupied by a claimant if the claimant is

2

required by law to pay a property tax by reason of the

3

claimant's ownership or rental, including a possessory

4

interest, in the dwelling, the land or both. An owner

5

includes a person in possession under a contract of sale,

6

deed of trust, life estate, joint tenancy or tenancy in

7

common or by reason of statutes of descent and distribution.

8

"Household income."  All income received by a claimant and

9

the claimant's spouse while residing in their homestead during

10

the calendar year for which a rebate is claimed.

11

"Income."  All income from whatever source derived,

12

including, but not limited to:

13

(1)  Salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, income from

14

self-employment, alimony, support money, cash public

15

assistance and relief.

16

(2)  The gross amount of any pensions or annuities,

17

including railroad retirement benefits for calendar years

18

prior to 1999 and 50% of railroad retirement benefits for

19

calendar years 1999 through 2011.

20

(3)  All benefits received under the Social Security Act

21

(49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), except Medicare

22

benefits, for calendar years prior to 1999, and 50% of all

23

benefits received under the Social Security Act, except

24

Medicare benefits, for calendar years 1999 through 2011.

25

(3.1)  All retirement benefits received by Federal

26

retirees for calendar years prior to 2012. For calendar years

27

2012 and thereafter, 50% of the retirement benefits received

28

by Federal retirees who, due to the date of their Federal

29

employment are ineligible to receive benefits under the

30

Social Security Act.

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1

(4)  All benefits received under State unemployment

2

insurance laws.

3

(5)  All interest received from the Federal or any state

4

government or any instrumentality or political subdivision

5

thereof.

6

(6)  Realized capital gains and rentals.

7

(7)  Workers' compensation.

8

(8)  The gross amount of loss of time insurance benefits,

9

life insurance benefits and proceeds, except the first $5,000

10

of the total of death benefit payments.

11

(9)  Gifts of cash or property, other than transfers by

12

gift between members of a household, in excess of a total

13

value of $300.

14

The term does not include surplus food or other relief in kind

15

supplied by a governmental agency, property tax or rent rebate,

16

inflation dividend, unrealized dividend, stock dividend, nor

17

shall the term include any veterans' benefits from whatever

18

source. For calendar years 2012 and thereafter, "income" shall

19

not include 50% of all benefits received under the Social

20

Security Act, except Medicare benefits, and 50% of any Social

21

Security substitute pension.

22

"Permanently disabled person."  A person who is unable to

23

engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any

24

medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can

25

be expected to continue indefinitely, except as provided in

26

section 904(b)(3) and (c).

27

"Real property taxes."  All taxes on a homestead, exclusive

28

of municipal assessments, delinquent charges and interest, due

29

and payable during a calendar year.

30

"Rent rebate in lieu of property taxes."  Twenty percent of

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1

the gross amount actually paid in cash or its equivalent in any

2

calendar year to a landlord in connection with the occupancy of

3

a homestead by a claimant, irrespective of whether such amount

4

constitutes payment solely for the right of occupancy or

5

otherwise.

6

"Social Security substitute pension."  A pension received as

7

a result of a person's employment by a government entity or an

8

instrumentality of a government entity if such pension is, in

9

whole or in part, provided in lieu of old age and survivors

10

benefit payments under the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42

11

U.S.C. § 301 et seq.). The term includes Tier I railroad

12

retirement benefits. The amount of the pension that qualifies as

13

a "Social Security substitute pension" shall not exceed the

14

maximum Federal old age and survivors benefit payments to which

15

an individual eligible for such payments would be entitled, less

16

any Federal old age and survivors benefit payments received

17

under the Social Security Act for employment covered under such

18

act.

19

"Widow" or "widower."  The surviving wife or the surviving

20

husband, as the case may be, of a deceased individual and who

21

has not remarried except as provided in section 904(b)(3) and

22

(c).

23

Section 904.  Property tax and rent rebate.

24

(a)  Schedule of rebates.--

25

(1)  The amount of any claim for property tax rebate or

26

rent rebate in lieu of property taxes for real property taxes

27

or rent due and payable through calendar year 2012 shall be

28

determined in accordance with the following schedule:

29

30

  

Household Income

Amount of Real Property Taxes Allowed as Rebate

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1

$     0 - $ 8,000

$750

2

  8,001 -  15,000

  500

3

 15,001 -  18,000

  300

4

 18,001 -  35,000

250

5

(2)  The amount of any claim for rent rebate in lieu of

6

property taxes for rent due and payable during calendar year

7

2013 and thereafter shall be determined in accordance with

8

the following schedule:

9

10

11

  

  

Household Income

Amount of Rent Rebate in Lieu of Property Taxes Allowed as Rebate

12

$     0 - $ 7,500  

$750 

13

  7,501 -  15,000  

 500 

14

 15,001 -  20,000  

 300 

15

 20,001 -  25,000  

 250 

16

(b)  Limitations on claims.--

17

(1)  No claim shall be allowed if the amount of property

18

tax or rent rebate computed in accordance with this section

19

is less than $10, and the maximum amount of property tax or

20

rent rebate payable shall not exceed $500 for claims for

21

calendar years through calendar year 2012. For calendar year

22

2013 and thereafter the maximum amount of rent rebate payable

23

shall not exceed $750.

24

(2)  No claim shall be allowed if the claimant is a

25

tenant of an owner of real property exempt from real property

26

taxes.

27

(3)  No claimant shall be eligible for a property tax

28

rebate for real property taxes due and payable during

29

calendar year 2013 and thereafter.

30

(c)  Apportionment and public assistance.--

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1

(1)  If any of the following exist relating to a claim:

2

(i)  a homestead is owned or rented and occupied for

3

only a portion of a year or is owned or rented in part by

4

a person who does not meet the qualifications for a

5

claimant, exclusive of any interest owned or leased by a

6

claimant's spouse;

7

(ii)  the claimant is a widow or widower who

8

remarries; or

9

(iii)  the claimant is a formerly disabled person who

10

is no longer disabled,

11

the department shall apportion the real property taxes or

12

rent in accordance with the period or degree of ownership or

13

leasehold or eligibility of the claimant in determining the

14

amount of rebate for which a claimant is eligible.

15

(2)  A claimant who receives public assistance from the

16

Department of Public Welfare shall not be eligible for rent

17

rebate in lieu of property taxes or an inflation dividend

18

during those months within which the claimant receives public

19

assistance.

20

(d)  Government subsidies.--Rent shall not include subsidies

21

provided by or through a governmental agency.

22

Section 905.  Filing of claim.

23

(a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in

24

subsection (b), a claim for property tax or rent rebate shall be

25

filed with the department on or before the 30th day of June of

26

the year next succeeding the end of the calendar year in which

27

real property taxes or rent was due and payable.

28

(b)  Exception.--A claim filed after the June 30 deadline

29

until December 31 of such calendar year shall be accepted by the

30

secretary as long as funds are available to pay the benefits to

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1

the late filing claimant.

2

(c)  Payments from State Lottery Fund.--No reimbursement on a

3

claim shall be made from the State Lottery Fund earlier than the

4

day following the 30th day of June provided in this chapter on

5

which that claim may be filed with the department.

6

(d)  Eligibility of claimants.--

7

(1)  Only one claimant from a homestead each year shall

8

be entitled to the property tax or rent rebate.

9

(2)  If two or more persons are able to meet the

10

qualifications for a claimant, they may determine who the

11

claimant shall be.

12

(3)  If they are unable to agree, the department shall

13

determine to whom the rebate is to be paid.

14

(4)  In the case where a claimant has died prior to

15

applying for the property tax or rent rebate, the application

16

may be submitted by a family member who satisfies the

17

following requirements:

18

(i)  The family member is the surviving spouse,

19

child, mother or father, or sister or brother of the

20

decedent, with preference given in that order.

21

(ii)  The family member submits a death certificate

22

of the decedent.

23

(iii)  The family member executes a sworn affidavit

24

under the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to

25

unsworn falsification to authorities) stating the

26

relationship of the family member to the decedent, the

27

existence or nonexistence of a duly appointed personal

28

representative of the decedent and any other persons that

29

may be entitled to make a claim to the property tax or

30

rent rebate that was otherwise due the decedent.

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1

(iv)  The family member provides such other

2

information determined by the department to be necessary

3

in order to review the application.

4

Section 906.  Proof of claim.

5

(a)  Contents.--Each claim shall include:

6

(1)  Reasonable proof of household income.

7

(2)  The size and nature of the property claimed as a

8

homestead.

9

(3)  The rent, tax receipt or other proof that the real

10

property taxes on the homestead have been paid or rent in

11

connection with the occupancy of a homestead has been paid.

12

(4)  If the claimant is a widow or widower, a declaration

13

of such status in such manner as prescribed by the secretary.

14

(b)  Proof of disability.--

15

(1)  Proof that a claimant is eligible to receive

16

disability benefits under the Social Security Act (49 Stat.

17

620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.) shall constitute proof of

18

disability under this chapter.

19

(2)  No person who has been found not to be disabled by

20

the Social Security Administration shall be granted a rebate

21

under this chapter.

22

(3)  A claimant not covered under the Social Security Act

23

shall be examined by a physician designated by the department

24

and such status determined using the same standards used by

25

the Social Security Administration.

26

(c)  Direct payment of taxes or rent not required.--It shall

27

not be necessary that such taxes or rent were paid directly by

28

the claimant if the rent or taxes have been paid when the claim

29

is filed.

30

(d)  Proof of age on first claim.--The first claim filed

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1

shall include proof that the claimant or the claimant's spouse

2

was at least 65 years of age, or at least 50 years of age in the

3

case of a widow or widower during the calendar year in which

4

real property taxes or rent were due and payable.

5

Section 907.  Incorrect claim.

6

Whenever on audit of a claim the department finds the claim

7

to have been incorrectly determined, it shall redetermine the

8

correct amount of the claim and notify the claimant of the

9

reason for the redetermination and the amount of the corrected

10

claim.

11

Section 908.  Funds for payment of claims.

12

(a)  Payment.--Approved claims shall be paid from the State

13

Lottery Fund established by the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351,

14

No.91), known as the State Lottery Law.

15

(b)  Minimum funding level.--Not less than the percentage of

16

the State Lottery Fund expended in the fiscal year beginning

17

July 1, 2012, for the provision of property tax relief and rent

18

rebate in lieu of property taxes shall be transferred from the

19

State Lottery Fund each year into a restricted account within

20

the State Lottery Fund, which account is hereby established and

21

shall be known as the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Restricted

22

Account. The moneys of the account shall be expended for the

23

sole purpose of providing property tax relief and rent rebates

24

in lieu of property taxes as provided by law.

25

(c)  Restrictions on use of Gaming Fund.--No moneys in the

26

Gaming Fund shall be transferred to the State Lottery Fund or

27

otherwise used for the purposes of this chapter.

28

Section 909.  Claim forms and rules and regulations.

29

(a)  General rule.--Necessary rules and regulations shall be

30

prescribed by a committee consisting of the Secretary of Aging,

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1

the Secretary of Revenue and the Secretary of Community and

2

Economic Development. The Secretary of Aging shall serve as the

3

chairman of the committee. The department shall receive all

4

applications, determine the eligibility of claimants, hear

5

appeals, disburse payments and make available suitable forms for

6

the filing of claims.

7

(b)  Report to General Assembly.--In addition to any rules

8

and regulations prescribed under subsection (a), the department

9

shall collect the following information and issue a report

10

including such information to the chairman and minority chairman

11

of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the chairman

12

and minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the

13

House of Representatives by May 31, 2013, and May 31 of each

14

year thereafter:

15

(1)  The total number of claims paid in the fiscal year

16

in which the report is issued with the information provided

17

by school district, by county and for each household income

18

level under section 904(a)(2).

19

(2)  The total amount of rebates paid in the fiscal year

20

in which the report is issued with the information provided

21

by school district, by county and for each household income

22

level under subsection 904(a)(2).

23

Section 910.  Fraudulent claims and conveyances to obtain

24

benefits.

25

(a)  Civil penalty.--In any case in which a claim is

26

excessive and was filed with fraudulent intent, the claim shall

27

be disallowed in full, and a penalty of 25% of the amount

28

claimed shall be imposed. The penalty and the amount of the

29

disallowed claim, if the claim has been paid, shall bear

30

interest at the rate of 1.5% per month from the date of the

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1

claim until repaid.

2

(b)  Criminal penalty.--The claimant and any person who

3

assisted in the preparation or filing of a fraudulent claim

4

commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and, upon conviction

5

thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000

6

or to imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.

7

(c)  Disallowance for receipt of title.--A claim shall be

8

disallowed if the claimant received title to the homestead

9

primarily for the purpose of receiving property tax rebate.

10

Section 911.  Petition for redetermination.

11

(a)  Right to file.--A claimant whose claim is either denied,

12

corrected or otherwise adversely affected by the department may

13

file with the department a petition for redetermination on forms

14

supplied by the department within 90 days after the date of

15

mailing of written notice by the department of such action.

16

(b)  Contents.--The petition shall set forth the grounds upon

17

which the claimant alleges that such departmental action is

18

erroneous or unlawful, in whole or part, and shall contain an

19

affidavit or affirmation that the facts contained in the

20

petition are true and correct.

21

(c)  Extension of time for filing.--

22

(1)  An extension of time for filing the petition may be

23

allowed for cause but may not exceed 120 days.

24

(2)  The department shall hold such hearings as may be

25

necessary for the purpose of redetermination, and each

26

claimant who has duly filed such petition for redetermination

27

shall be notified by the department of the time when and the

28

place where such hearing in the claimant's case will be held.

29

(d)  Time period for decision.--The department shall, within

30

six months after receiving a filed petition for redetermination,

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1

dispose of the matters raised by such petition and shall mail

2

notice of the department's decision to the claimant.

3

Section 912.  Review by Board of Finance and Revenue.

4

(a)  Right to review.--Within 90 days after the date of

5

official receipt by the claimant of notice mailed by the

6

department of its decision on a petition for redetermination

7

filed with it, the claimant who is adversely affected by the

8

decision may by petition request the board to review such

9

action.

10

(b)  Effect of no decision from department.--The failure of

11

the department to officially notify the claimant of a decision

12

within the six-month period provided for by section 911 shall

13

act as a denial of the petition, and a petition for review may

14

be filed with the board within 120 days after written notice is

15

officially received by the claimant that the department has

16

failed to dispose of the petition within the six-month period.

17

(c)  Contents of petition for redetermination.--A petition

18

for redetermination filed under this section shall state the

19

reasons upon which the claimant relies or shall incorporate by

20

reference the petition for redetermination in which such reasons

21

were stated. The petition shall be supported by affidavit that

22

the facts set forth therein are correct and true.

23

(d)  Time period for decision.--The board shall act in

24

disposition of petitions filed with it within six months after

25

they have been received, and, in the event of failure of the

26

board to dispose of any petition within six months, the action

27

taken by the department upon the petition for redetermination

28

shall be deemed sustained.

29

(e)  Relief authorized by board.--The board may sustain the

30

action taken by the department on the petition for

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1

redetermination or it may take such other action as it shall

2

deem necessary and consistent with provisions of this chapter.

3

(f)  Form of notice.--Notice of the action of the board shall

4

be given by mail to the department and to the claimant.

5

Section 913.  Appeal.

6

A claimant aggrieved by a decision of the board may appeal

7

from the decision of the board in the manner provided by law for

8

appeals from decisions of the board in tax cases.

9

CHAPTER 11

10

LIMITATIONS ON 

11

SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXATION

12

Section 1101.  Authority to levy taxes and effect of future

13

Constitutional amendment.

14

(a)  Abrogating authority to impose certain taxes.--

15

(1)  The authority of any school district to levy, assess

16

and collect any real property tax under the Public School

17

Code of 1949, or any other act shall expire, subject to the

18

provisions of section 1102, at midnight December 31, 2012.

19

(2)  The authority of a city of the first class to impose

20

or continue to provide for the imposition or continuation of

21

any tax, including, but not limited to, the real property

22

tax, for the use of a school district of the first class

23

shall expire in accordance with section 1102(b).

24

(b)  Collection of certain taxes unaffected.--The provisions

25

of this section or any other provision of this act shall not

26

prevent or interfere with any action of any school district to

27

collect any tax owed by any taxpayer prior to the repeal of any

28

law authorizing such tax after such law is repealed pursuant to

29

this act.

30

(c)  Limitations on adoption of personal income taxes

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1

authorized under Chapter 3 and earned income taxes authorized

2

under Chapter 5.--A school district that adopts a personal

3

income tax pursuant to Chapter 3 may not adopt an earned income

4

tax under Chapter 5. A school district that adopts an earned

5

income tax under Chapter 5 may not adopt a personal income tax

6

under Chapter 3.

7

Section 1102.  Transitional taxes.

8

(a)  Transitional taxes for school districts other than

9

school districts of the first class.--Notwithstanding any other

10

provision of the Public School Code of 1949 or any other law to

11

the contrary:

12

(1)  Any school district, other than a school district of

13

the first class, may continue to levy, assess and collect a

14

real property tax for fiscal year 2012-2013.

15

(2)  For all fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2013,

16

no school district shall have any power or authority to levy,

17

assess and collect any real property tax, except as necessary

18

to reduce the amount of its outstanding debt in existence on

19

December 31, 2011.

20

(b)  Transitional taxes for school districts of the first

21

class.--Notwithstanding any other provision of the Public School

22

Code of 1949 or any other law to the contrary:

23

(1)  Any school district of the first class and city of

24

the first class may continue to levy, assess and collect a

25

real property tax and all other taxes in existence on July

26

31, 2012, at the rates in effect on that date for the use of

27

a coterminous school district of the first class for fiscal

28

year 2012-2013. The authority to levy, assess and collect

29

such taxes for the use of coterminous school districts shall

30

expire at midnight on December 31, 2012.

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1

(2)  For all fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2012,

2

no city of the first class shall have any power or authority

3

to levy, assess and collect any of the taxes identified under

4

paragraph (1) for school purposes, except as necessary to

5

reduce the amount of its outstanding debt in existence on

6

December 31, 2011.

7

Section 1103.  Consideration of State appropriations or

8

reimbursements.

9

The personal income or earned income tax levied shall not be

10

invalidated by reason of the fact that in determining the amount

11

to be raised by such tax no deduction was made for

12

appropriations or reimbursements paid or payable by the

13

Commonwealth to the school district.

14

Section 1104.  Taxes for cities and school districts of the

15

first class.

16

Notwithstanding any other provision of the act of March 10,

17

1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, 

18

or any other law to the contrary, nothing in this act shall be

19

construed to limit or impair a city of the first class from

20

levying, assessing or collecting any tax for municipal purposes

21

or from increasing the millage for real estate taxes or revenues

22

if the revenues derived from the real property tax are used

23

solely for municipal purposes.

24

CHAPTER 12

25

INDEBTEDNESS

26

Section 1201.  Expiration of authority to issue debt.

27

Notwithstanding any other provision of 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII 

28

Subpt. B (relating to indebtedness and borrowing) or any other

29

law to the contrary, no school district, including a school

30

district of the first class, shall incur any electoral debt,

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1

lease rental debt or nonelectoral debt under 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII 

2

Subpt. B after the effective date of this section.

3

Section 1202.  Notices and reporting by school districts of debt

4

outstanding.

5

(a)  Duties.--

6

(1)  Each school district, including a school district of

7

the first class, shall identify the outstanding amount of all

8

electoral debt, lease rental debt or nonelectoral debt

9

incurred as of December 31, 2011.

10

(2)  On or before September 30, 2012, each school

11

district, including a school district of the first class,

12

shall certify and report to the Department of Revenue the

13

outstanding amount of all electoral debt, lease rental debt

14

or nonelectoral debt incurred as of December 31, 2011,

15

together with any information requested by the department in

16

order for the Commonwealth to comply with requirements of

17

this section.

18

(b)  Audit by Department of Revenue.--

19

(1)  The Department of Revenue shall audit each report

20

submitted under subsection (a) and shall certify the amount

21

of each report and the total aggregate amount of all reports

22

to the State Treasurer on or before March 31, 2013.

23

(2)  If the Department of Revenue disputes all or any

24

portion of a report submitted under subsection (a), the

25

department shall not include such amount in the certification

26

to the State Treasurer and shall notify the school district

27

in writing of the exclusion from the certification.

28

CHAPTER 13

29

FUNDING PROVISIONS

30

Section 1301.  Definitions.

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1

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter

2

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

3

context clearly indicates otherwise:

4

"Base revenue."  The money a school district receives from

5

property tax during fiscal year 2011-2012.

6

"Cost of living factor."  The lesser of:

7

(1)  the average annual percentage increase in the

8

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the

9

Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland area for the preceding

10

calendar year; or

11

(2)  the percentage increase in sales and use tax

12

collected under section 702 from the previous calendar year.

13

"Department."  The Department of Education of the

14

Commonwealth.

15

"Fund."  The Education Stabilization Fund established in

16

section 1302.

17

Section 1302.  Education Stabilization Fund.

18

(a)  Establishment.--The Education Stabilization Fund is

19

established as a separate fund in the State Treasury.

20

(b)  Sources.--The following are the sources of the fund:

21

(1)  Money collected by the department under:

22

(i)  section 321; or

23

(ii)  Chapter 7.

24

(2)  Revenue transferred to the General Fund under:

25

(i)  4 Pa.C.S. § 1402(a)(3), (5) and (7) (relating to

26

gross terminal revenue deductions);

27

(ii)  4 Pa.C.S. § 1406(a)(2)(i) and (2.1)(i)

28

(relating to distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse

29

Development Fund); or

30

(iii)  4 Pa.C.S. § 1407(d)(2) (relating to

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1

Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism

2

Fund).

3

(3)  Appropriations.

4

(4)  Return on money in the fund.

5

(c)  Use.--The department shall use the fund to make

6

disbursements under section 1303.

7

(d)  Continuing appropriation.--The money in the fund is

8

continuously appropriated into the fund. This appropriation

9

shall not lapse at the end of any fiscal year.

10

Section 1303.  Standard disbursements to school districts from

11

Education Stabilization Fund.

12

(a)  Initial.--For fiscal year 2012-2013, the department

13

shall make disbursements to each school district as follows:

14

(1)  Ascertain base revenue.

15

(2)  Multiply:

16

(i)  the amount ascertained under paragraph (1); by

17

(ii)  the cost of living factor.

18

(3)  Divide:

19

(i)  the product under paragraph (2); by

20

(ii)  four.

21

(4)  Each quarter, disburse the quotient under paragraph

22

(3).

23

(b)  Subsequent.--For fiscal years beginning after June 30,

24

2013, the department shall make disbursements to each school

25

district as required by statute.

26

CHAPTER 15

27

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

28

Section 1501.  Transitional provision.

29

(a)  Sales and use tax.--Notwithstanding the repeal of

30

Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971, under section 1504,

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1

the department shall have the authority to enforce the

2

collection of taxes imposed for transactions that occur prior to

3

the effective date of this section under former Article II of

4

the Tax Reform Code of 1971. The taxes collected after January

5

1, 2013, regardless of the transaction date, shall be deposited

6

into the Education Stabilization Fund.

7

(b)  Other taxes.--Notwithstanding the repeal of any

8

provision of the Public School Code of 1949 or of any other law

9

authorizing school districts to impose taxes, a governing body

10

shall have the authority to enforce, after the effective date of

11

the repeal, the collection of taxes levied and assessed under

12

those former provisions prior to the effective date of the

13

repeal under section 1504.

14

Section 1502.  Construction.

15

Any and all references in any other act to Article II or any

16

provision in Article II of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 shall be

17

deemed a reference to Chapter 7 of this act or the corresponding

18

provisions in Chapter 7 of this act.

19

Section 1503.  Severability.

20

The provisions of this act are severable as follows:

21

(1)  If any provision of this act is held invalid, the

22

invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications

23

of this act which can be given effect without the invalid

24

provision or application.

25

(2)  Under no circumstances shall the invalidity of any

26

provision or application of this act affect the validity of

27

any provision in this act that abolishes the power of the

28

governing body and any school district and city of the first

29

class or any other political subdivision to levy, assess or

30

collect a tax on any interest in real property for school

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1

purposes.

2

Section 1504.  Repeals.

3

(a)  Intent.--The General Assembly declares that the repeals

4

under subsection (b) are necessary to effectuate this act.

5

(b)  Provisions.--The following acts and parts of acts are

6

repealed:

7

(1)  Section 631 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,

8

No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is repealed.

9

(2)  Any provision of the Public School Code of 1949 and

10

of any other law relating to the authority of any school

11

district to levy, assess and collect any tax on real property

12

and the power of any city of the first class to levy, assess

13

and collect any tax real property for school purposes is

14

repealed upon the expiration of the respective schedule

15

prescribed in sections 1101 and 1102.

16

(3)  Any provision of the act of the Public School Code

17

of 1949 and any other law relating to debt is repealed to the

18

extent that it is inconsistent with this act.

19

(4)  Any provision of the Public School Code of 1949 and

20

any home rule charter adopted pursuant thereto is repealed

21

insofar as it is inconsistent with this act.

22

(5)  Any provision of the act of August 9, 1963 (P.L.643,

23

No.341), known as the First Class City Public Education Home

24

Rule Act, and any home rule school district charter adopted

25

pursuant thereto is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent

26

with this act.

27

(6)  Article II of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,

28

No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, is repealed.

29

(7)  Any provision of the act of June 27, 2006 (1st

30

Sp.Sess., P.L.1873, No.1), known as the Taxpayer Relief Act,

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1

is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent with this act.

2

(8)  All acts and parts of acts that are inconsistent

3

with this act are repealed to the extent of such

4

inconsistency.

5

Section 1505.  Applicability.

6

This act shall apply as follows:

7

(1)  Section 1504(b)(9) shall apply at midnight on

8

December 31, 2012.

9

(2)  Chapter 7 shall apply January 1, 2013.

10

Section 1506.  Effective date.

11

This act shall take effect as follows:

12

(1)  Section 1504(b)(2) and (8) shall take effect at

13

midnight on December 31, 2012.

14

(2)  Chapters 3, 4 and 5 shall take effect January 1,

15

2013.

16

(3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect

17

immediately.

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