PA Taxes (Harrisburg: 2013, rental, car registration)

[TX2PA]

I will soon (mid-January) be relocating to Harrisburg from southern TX and have recently learned there is a State Income Tax I will have to pay. What other taxes will I be expected/required to pay? I do not plan on purchasing a home in Harrisburg but I do plan on renting an apt/home. I am single, no children, no pets, don't smoke. Please provide any advice. Thank you.

One more thing, I have heard about this thing called Winter that takes place in Harrisburg. What is this exactly?

[BTA88]

I don't know anything about a state income tax for relocating. Just the 10% of you annual income when you file taxes here, but since you aren't moving until next year, as far as I know, and I'm not a lawyer or tax specialist, it should not affect your 2012 taxes.

You don't seem to be too happy about moving to PA. What's your reason for the relocation? Are you a native Texan? One thing, this get a lot of people who buy cars from Texas, make sure your car has anti-freeze in the coolant system. If not, you risk serious engine damage in winter.

[TX2PA]

Someone told me there was a 2% state income tax in additional to standard Federal taxes. In TX, we don't have a state income tax. I just want to make that when I file my taxes next year for the 2013 year, that I dont see any suprises and have to pay the state a bunch of money.

I'm being relocated due to work and am excited about it. I just don't have any winter clothes.

[North Beach Person]

PA State Income Tax is 3.07%, not 10% as someone else posted.

Personal Income Tax

In all the years I lived in PA and paid income tax I never owed any nor did I receive a refund. The income tax is not graduated/indexed as it is in states like MD.

[ki0eh]

In addition to the STATE income tax:

There is usually a wage tax that varies by municipality (a generalized term, inclusive of "City," "Borough," or "Township") and school district - it varies from 1% to 2%.

Also there is generally an annual per capita tax often known as the "occupation tax" payable to the local municipality and/or school district. If you pay the 2% wage tax supposedly this shouldn't apply.

Finally (maybe) there is a tax withheld from your wages that goes to the municipality you WORK in. This typically varies from $10 to $52 per year - if $52 they should hit you with that at a $1/week rate instead of all at once out of a single check a year. This used to be known as the "occupational privilege tax" and more recently was called the "emergency and municipal services tax" but I think the name changed again.

These local taxes might be but probably are not collected by the same entity. The safest thing to do would be to call the municipal office where you reside (quite likely a different name from the postal address, ask the rental office "what municipality am I in" and hopefully they will know) and ask specifically about each one of these three taxes. Expect a sneering response "we don't take care of that one" and politely ask "who does?"

If this sounds strange and medieval, yes it is. Next you can ask why a six-pack of beer comes from a different place from a case of beer and neither from the same place where one buys wine or spirits.

But coming to Harrisburg you might happen on the one place in the state that handles both vehicle registration and driver licenses in the same office.

[teachbeach]

Your employer will have you fill out the necessary paperwork and your taxes will be deducted from your salary. State income tax is based on your salary, just like the federal taxes. The city may have a wage tax, (or county or municipality), but that too will be deducted from your paycheck. The occupational privilege is anywhere from $1 to $52 per year, depending on the municipality you actually work in. Again, the HR person or the accounting office that will issue your paycheck should explain all of this and get you to file the appropriate documents.

You will have to transfer your driver's license and car registration, and have your vehicle inspected. Vehicle inspection and registration is paid annually, and each year the car will have to be inspected by a certified mechanic, any faults will have to be corrected (and they check everything!) and then reinspected. You get a sticker on the inside of your dashboard window.

Winter clothes can be a combination of layers of shirts/sweaters/jackets. A good winter coat, hat and gloves will be necessary, and can be purchased at any of the many shopping centers/stores/malls in and around the Harrisburg area. Winters are usually mild, when it snows it's rare that it is crippling. It is tricky to drive in it, so be careful and practice in an empty parking lot if possible. Keep your distance, stay with the flow of traffic, use your lights and turn signals, and until you're confident and comfortable, drive as little as possible.

People in PA are generally very helpful, it's a beautiful state, just wait until Spring!