Do I have to file a return for the Scranton wage tax? (Wilkes-Barre: income)

[Trucker7]

Do I have to file a return for the Scranton wage tax? I was under the impression that the wage tax was taken from your paycheck, and that was it. No need to file a return, like Social Security or Medicare. However, the individual return form at Wage Tax, Individuals | Scranton Single Tax Office implies that everyone must file, even if you don't have a balance due or refund.

[frank754]

I think you do. I live in Wilkes-Barre, and earned very little since we moved here. I called the city, and told them that the W-2 I did have had taken out the exact amount, to the penny, that was due. I asked if I still needed to file a form and they said yes, everyone needs to file. I did not see the form at the library, but they said I could come down to the "office" and they had them and would help folks fill them out if they need help. I'm not sure in your case, but from my guess, it seems to be the same way all over around here in NEPA.
I was going to ask this question here before, but I guess that answers my questions too.
Anyway, around here they seem to be pretty cheap bastards in W-B, as for the city property tax, the sewer bill, and the recycling tax: none of them come with a return envelope, they just send a postcard and you have to make up your own envelope. On another note, a few times over the course of the year I tried to call the city offices about permits, assessments or whatever, and it seems like nobody ever answers the telephone, I wonder if they are all on permanent break and what the hell is up with the taxes we pay for them to answer the goddam phone?

[varmintblaster]

Frank:

You got a lot of nerve - expecting personal service from city offices - for a mere extra 2.4% of earned income tax levied against your gross salary.

Local Taxes:
For the most part, I think the cities of WB and Scranton may collect their own taxes - and you need to file a return whether or not you owe a balance,break even, or are due a refund.

Other towns use a tax collection service (e.g. - Berkheimer - that mails you a return each year - or you can e-file via their website).

Property taxes are another joke IMO. Each town has their own little overlord (Property Tax Collector) that gets a cut of what they collect. IMO it is a very inefficient system and should be eliminated - just make the people mail or pay via a website to a central collection bureau. (but that would eliminate the political patronage).

[Trucker7]

Thanks a lot!! I'll file it from now on.

And now that we're in the subject of Scranton taxes, is it possible to propose a ordinance or amend the city charter by putting a question on the November ballot, in order to cap the wage and mercantile taxes to what every other town in Lackawanna Co. has?

[theatergypsy]

^^^Not a chance!^^^