Business Privilege Tax reform passes City Council

City Council chambers. Photo by Albert Yee.

The tax reform legislation that promises relief for small businesses and businesses that do sales outside of Philadelphia has been passed by City Council.

Introduced by Councilpersons Bill Green and Maria Quiñones Sánchez, the Business Privilege Tax reform was passed unanimously today, after making its way last week through the council’s Committee on Finance.

From the press release:

“For three years, we have been working to further the goals of tax fairness; leveling the playing field for local businesses, including manufacturers; small business tax relief; and generating economic growth by removing some tax-related disincentives to locating and expanding a business in the City,” Councilwoman Sánchez explained.

Councilman Green continued: “City Council is sending a clear message that the City of Philadelphia is open for business. This legislation levels the playing field for businesses that sell goods. It is a large first step in the right direction. This bill will save existing jobs and create new jobs.”

Some of our previous coverage of the tax issue and the proposed legislation:

Green’s Chief of Staff Sophie Bryan tells Technically Philly that she’s “absolutely confident” that Mayor Nutter will sign the bill. The Nutter administration was a close partner in the bill’s working group. The Chamber of Commerce, an opponent of early versions on the bill, said it was ‘thrilled,’ in a report posted on its website.

After the jump, details of the bill from the release.

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