Labor & Employment (Small Business)

This bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses in Pennsylvania that help employees pay for health insurance. To qualify, a business must have 50 or fewer employees and contribute up to $1,000 per employee toward premiums for qualified health plans purchased through the state health exchange. The credit is calculated based on the first $1,000 of contributions made for each eligible employee and can be used to reduce the business's state tax liability. Companies claiming the credit must submit a specific application form to the Department of Revenue that includes detailed information about their employees and the insurance providers they hired.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to create a Small Business Opportunity Program within Neighborhood Improvement Zones. It directs that any excess funds remaining in these zones after required payments must be used to satisfy debts and obligations before 25% of the baseline tax revenue is transferred to a dedicated fund for small business grants. To qualify for these grants, a business must be classified as a small business, employ at least one full-time worker for 35 hours a week, and have filed all required state tax returns. The program aims to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation by providing financial support to eligible local businesses, while also requiring contracting authorities to submit annual reports on the number of participating businesses, total incentives awarded, and jobs created.

This bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses in Pennsylvania that help employees pay for health insurance purchased through the state exchange. To qualify, a business must have 50 or fewer employees and make contributions toward health reimbursement arrangements for their workers. The credit is calculated based on the first $1,000 of contributions per employee and can be applied to reduce the business's state tax liability. Companies claiming the credit must submit detailed forms to the Department of Revenue listing employee information and insurance provider details.

SB 478 establishes Pennsylvania's Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Community and Economic Development to support employee-owned businesses. It creates an Employee Ownership Advisory Board and a Main Street Employee Ownership Grant Program to provide technical assistance, financial aid, and education to businesses meeting specific employee ownership criteria (like worker cooperatives, employee stock ownership plans, or broad profit-sharing programs). The Office will track employee-owned businesses statewide, identify barriers to their growth, and submit annual reports to legislative committees. This bill directly affects businesses seeking to convert to or maintain employee ownership structures across Pennsylvania.

HB 1751 creates a new Office of Employee Ownership within the state's Department of Community and Economic Development to support employee-owned businesses. It establishes an Employee Ownership Advisory Board to guide the program and a Main Street Employee Ownership Grant Program to provide funding for these businesses. The bill also directs the state to offer technical and financial assistance to help employee-owned enterprises grow and operate. This bill directly affects employee-owned businesses seeking support, grants, and guidance through state programs.

SB 853 creates a tax credit for small Pennsylvania businesses (with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) affected by minimum wage increases. It allows employers to claim a credit equal to 50% of the wage increase cost in the first year after a minimum wage hike, and 25% in the second year, against their state tax liability. Unused credit can be carried over for up to three years but cannot be refunded or carried back. Pass-through businesses may also transfer unused credits to owners in proportion to their share of business income.