Tax Reform Working Group: Share your thoughts about City taxes

Over the past decade, local tax reforms have made Philadelphia a better place to do business. What other changes to the tax code could lead to economic growth across the city? Could tax reform create a more inclusive and equitable COVID-19 recovery?
The new Tax Reform Working Group believes that every Philadelphia neighborhood should prosper. They want to hear what you think about taxes in the city.
The working group is hosting a survey about tax preferences. Make sure to fill out the survey before October 27.

Click here to find out how you can participate

Unemployment Benefits Resources

A new online resource for Unemployment Benefits:
If you need more information or have questions about the new UC system, check out UCHelp.org

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What to know if you are to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania
Jensen Toussaint, Al Dia

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recently announced unemployment benefits will only continue for those who provide proof that they have searched for work. Starting in July, Pennsylvania will resume its work search requirement for eligible unemployment benefit recipients, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced on May 24. This announcement will affect all unemployment programs, including Unemployment Compensation (UC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

More here.

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What is the child tax credit schedule, how to opt out of the monthly checks in 2021 and more.
Katie Conner, C|Net

You could get $250 or up to $300 per kid starting next month if you opt for monthly payments with the advance child tax credit. Depending on the age of your children, that would work out to as much as $3,000 or $3,600 over 2021 and 2022 per eligible dependent between July 15 (when the first check is set to arrive from the IRS) and tax time next year. July is also when the IRS will open two web portals that will let you select whether to receive your checks each month through the end of the year or get one payment in 2022.

Click here for Everything to know about the schedule, When will the child tax credit payments start? and also important details if you normally don't file a tax return or if you share child custody.

Update: New Business Tax Relief

On December 1, the Department of Revenue announced the following three changes aimed at providing Philadelphia businesses with additional relief during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Amending U&O guidance to exempt the portion of restaurants and bars used for indoor dining from Use & Occupancy Tax: This initiative will exempt restaurants and bars from Use & Occupancy tax on the square footage of the business used for indoor dining (dining room space) during the period when indoor dining is prohibited. This exemption is for this most recent “Safer at Home” phase and would be effective from November 20, 2020 through January 1, 2021.

• Businesses can amend BIRT returns and receive a refund: Under this initiative, the Revenue Department will provide guidance and instructions to businesses that if they feel they overestimated their 2020 BIRT estimated payment, they can amend the return and provide a new, more realistic, estimated payment and have the difference refunded. It would take six to eight weeks for businesses to receive refunds.

• Extending Refuse Fee due dates: Under this measure, the full $500 refuse fee is now due by June 30, 2021. Previously, half of the annual fee was due December 31, 2020.

NEW BUSINESS RECOVERY PAYMENT AGREEMENTS
Philadelphia businesses that were in compliance before the pandemic, but are now struggling to pay taxes, can take advantage of new payment agreements. Watch our video to learn about eligibility and flexible terms.
The City can also help businesses that were in a payment agreement – or that already owed taxes – before COVID-related closures. Go here to find an agreement that best fits your situation.

HOW TO FILE FOR A REFUND OF U&O TAXES
If your business is requesting a refund for Use & Occupancy (U&O) Tax because of COVID-19 closure orders, it is important to note that businesses must first amend their refund. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue has instructions on how to do this.

2020 Real Estate Tax due date policy

To offer relief to Philadelphia homeowners during the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency, the City of Philadelphia has moved the 2020 Real Estate Tax due date to June 15, 2020.

Similarly, the Department has extended the deadline to apply for an installment payment plan for 2020 Real Estate Tax. All senior citizens over the age of 65, and eligible low income homeowners can apply for this installment plan by June 15, 2020.

For more information about applying for a Real Estate Tax installment plan, please visit:

http://www.phila.gov/real-estate-relief

Philadelphia property tax due date extended to June 15

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the deadline to pay Philadelphia property tax has been extended to June 15.
If you haven’t paid your 2020 Real Estate Tax bill already, you now have an additional month and a half to do so. This is the second time we’ve moved the deadline in response to the pandemic.
If you can pay before June 15, please do so. Real Estate Tax revenue is vital to the School District of Philadelphia and essential City services, including emergency management.

More details here.