Taxes (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg: sales, renting, hotel)

[donnaluv]

Besides state tax, what other taxes are there in PA? I've heard of local tax & work tax. Can anyone explain either of these to me? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[sirron]

The state tax is slightly more than three percent of your gross income, and local taxes vary. Where I live, it is one percent. Places closer to more populated areas like State College can go as high as two and a quarter percent or more. The state sales tax is six percent, but food and clothing are not taxed for the most part. I think there is a sales tax on soda and a couple other non-essentials.
The annual 'privelege to work' tax varys from ten dollars to fifty-two, depending where you reside. Of course, there are the usual: property taxes, hotel tax, luxury items tax, and on and on......

[Dawne]

Federal, state and local taxes will be deducted directly from your paycheck, as will the local occupational privilege tax (the $10 to $52 mentioned above). I think most employers also deduct a workers' comp tax of 1/10 of 1%.

The 6% state sales tax will be paid at the cash register, of course. Some cities (including, I think, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) add on more to this, possibly another percent or two.

If you're a homeowner you will also be assessed property taxes. In our area we pay twice a year, once to the local municipality and once to the school district. Both are based on the value of the property. I think some areas may be different.

PA does NOT assess tax on personal property such as boats, RVs, cars, etc. like some states do. Hooray for small favors!

[momix5]

can someone tell me the average property tax and school tax in like Cental Pa, like E-town thanks just on an average home!

[Dawne]

We're more north of E-town and in a more rural area (not as close to Harrisburg) but for a 3-bedroom ranch with one bathroom and a one-car attached garage on a 1/4-acre lot we pay about $1400 per year for property and school taxes combined. In E-town I think you might pay more, and if you have a larger lot or are in a development outside town you'd probably pay even more.

[momix5]

thanks Dawne!

[dorothy bermudez]

We are thinking of moving to the Colonial Park area of harrisburg, Pa. Can someone please tell us what taxes we would pay? We would be renting and both are on social security disability. Thanks