Pennsylvania House Bill 2735 updates the Public School Code of 1949 to restrict school districts from increasing real property taxes unless their projected ending fund balances meet specific limits. The bill establishes a sliding scale where larger districts with higher total budgeted expenditures must maintain lower percentages of committed, assigned, and unassigned funds compared to smaller districts. To ensure compliance, each district that approves a tax increase must submit certification data to the Department of Education by August 15 of each year starting in 2027.
Pennsylvania House Bill 2727 authorizes local governments to offer a voluntary property tax freeze for seniors who are at least 65 years old, have lived in the state for five or more years, and meet specific income limits. Eligible homeowners can keep their real estate taxes fixed at the amount paid during a designated base year, provided they continue to meet financial criteria that are adjusted annually for inflation. The tax freeze applies only to a primary residence and transfers if the owner moves within the same local jurisdiction, but it ends when the property is sold or transferred. The state Department of Community and Economic Development will oversee the program by creating a standardized application form and publishing annual reports on its performance and cost savings.
SB 1384 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update definitions for tax benefits and introduce new rules for computer data centers. The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Revenue from certifying any new computer data centers after its effective date. It also establishes a new certification program for the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development, which sets standards for clean firm energy, including specific requirements for solar, wind, and battery storage systems. Additionally, the legislation defines terms related to alternative compliance payments and clean hydrogen production to support these infrastructure standards.
This Pennsylvania bill creates a new tax incentive to encourage the installation of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement, on properties within the state. It defines "green infrastructure" as stormwater management practices that reduce or reuse runoff and sets rules for claiming a tax credit based on qualified costs like design, materials, and installation. To receive the credit, taxpayers must complete a certified project and submit detailed documentation to the Department of Revenue, while excluding costs covered by grants or routine maintenance. The legislation also updates the legal definition of "tax credit" to include this new program alongside existing state tax benefits.
This bill updates Pennsylvania laws regarding borough and town governance to address financial management when auditor positions are empty. It allows a borough council to temporarily appoint one or two individuals to fill vacancies in the auditor's office, granting them the same powers as elected auditors until the next election. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the council must adopt the town budget by December 31 and ensures total spending cannot exceed available estimated revenues. The council retains full discretion to set the qualifications for these temporary appointments.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to update how funds are managed in Neighborhood Improvement Zones and to create a new Small Business Opportunity Program. Under the new rules, any leftover money from these zones must first pay required debts and obligations before 25% of the baseline tax revenue is automatically transferred to a fund dedicated to small business grants. The program is designed to help small businesses start, grow, or stay open in these specific areas by providing financial support to those that hire full-time employees and file all required tax reports. Local authorities will be required to report annually on the number of businesses participating, the total money awarded, and the number of jobs created or kept. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local officials and auditors can access specific tax records for these zones solely to verify eligibility and manage the program.
This bill creates a tax credit program in Pennsylvania to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel. To qualify, companies must invest at least $150 million in a local facility, create at least 400 permanent jobs, and pay workers prevailing wages. The credit provides up to $1 per gallon for fuel production, with an extra 25 cents per gallon for using local feedstocks or achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions. Eligible producers must also meet specific state tax compliance requirements and sign a commitment letter with state officials.
This bill establishes a new Pennsylvania tax credit program designed to help residents who pay for child and dependent care. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a state tax credit based on the amount they already claim for the same expenses on their federal tax returns. The credit rate changes over time, starting at 30% for tax years ending before 2023, increasing to 100% for years between 2023 and 2026, and returning to 100% for years after 2026. The maximum credit is calculated on up to $3,000 of expenses for one child or $6,000 for two or more children.
This bill increases the annual funding cap for Pennsylvania's Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program from $24 million to $26 million. The change directly affects the state's entertainment industry by allowing a larger pool of tax credits to be distributed each fiscal year. These credits are designed to help businesses in the entertainment sector by reducing their tax liability. The new limit will apply to fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2026.
This bill limits how much school districts that span multiple counties or municipalities can increase their property tax rates. It allows a district's tax rate to rise only by the amount of a specific index adjustment plus any prior year's rate, unless the increase is due to a formal reassessment of property values or a successful voter referendum. The rules apply to tax years starting after June 30, 2026, and are designed to prevent significant jumps in local property taxes for these multi-jurisdictional districts.
