Here is a breakdown of the types of taxes collected in Pennsylvania:
Income Tax
Pennsylvania has a flat tax rate of 3.07 percent on individual income tax, with no standard deductions or personal exemptions.More: Pennsylvania Income Tax Specifics
Property Tax
The state of Pennsylvania does not levy or collect taxes on real estate or personal property. Instead, those taxes are reserved for the local governments: counties, municipalities and school districts. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are collected only on real estate -- land and buildings -- and not on other types of property like cars or business inventory.More: Pennsylvania Property Tax Specifics
Sales & Use Tax
Pennsylvania imposes a 6% state sales tax on taxable goods and services (exemptions from sales tax include food, clothing, drugs, textbooks, resale items and residential heating fuels). A local sales tax of 1% is also collected on the sales of taxable goods and services in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties (for a total of 7% sales tax).* Local sales tax on motor vehicles is determined by the resident address of the purchaser, not by the location of the purchase.
Inheritance and Estate Tax
Pennsylvania collects an inheritance tax ranging from 6% for direct heirs to 15% for all other beneficiaries. Property inherited from a spouse or by a parent from a child 21 or younger is tax-exempt.Other Pennsylvania Taxes
- Cigarette Tax is 31 cents per pack, which is included in the price of cigarettes.
- Gasoline (Fuel) Tax is 25.9 cents per gallon on gasoline and 30.8 cents on diesal fuel, and is included in the price charged at the pump.
- Realty Transfer Tax is collected by Pennsylvania counties at the rate of 1% on the monetary worth of the real estate.
For more information on Pennsylvania taxes, visit the Web site of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Residents may also contact the automated FACT and Information Line at 1-888-PATAXES.
