Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB695

Introduced
4/30/25  

Caption

In sales and use tax, further providing for time for filing returns.

Impact

The legislation is expected to streamline the filing process for many small businesses that operate in Pennsylvania. By allowing lower tax liabilities to shift to annual filings, the state aims to ease the compliance burden on smaller entities, which often struggle with the administrative aspects of tax responsibilities. This could lead to improved cash flow for these businesses, as they will only have to deal with tax assessments once a year instead of quarterly.

Summary

SB695 proposes amendments to the Tax Reform Code of 1971 in Pennsylvania, primarily focusing on the timeframes for filing sales and use tax returns. The bill alters existing procedures, establishing annual and quarterly filing requirements based on the actual tax liabilities of licensees. Specifically, it introduces a simplification where licensees with lower tax liabilities are permitted to file annually rather than quarterly, relieving them from more frequent filing requirements and thus potentially reducing administrative burdens.

Sentiment

The early sentiment surrounding SB695 appears positive among proponents who argue that such reforms are necessary to support small businesses within the state. They believe that the amendments will promote better adherence to tax laws by simplifying the reporting process. However, there may also be concerns from some legislators about how this could potentially affect state revenue if students encounter discrepancies in their filings. Critics worry that changing the filing requirements could lead to issues with compliance and enforcement, which must be carefully managed.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential for reduced revenue collection from businesses that may opt for less frequent reporting, leading to delays in tax payments to the state. Additionally, some critics worry that the bill does not sufficiently address the enforcement mechanisms needed to ensure compliance among those who may take advantage of more lenient filing periods. As discussions progress, these concerns could lead to amendments aimed at addressing both the administrative efficiency and the integrity of the tax collection system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB396

In sales and use tax, further providing for time for filing returns.

PA HB1404

In sales and use tax, further providing for time for filing returns.

PA SB654

In sales and use tax, further providing for

PA HB1765

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in contributions by employers and employees, further providing for trigger determinations and for trigger rate redeterminations; in compensation, further providing for qualifications required to secure compensation, for ineligibility for compensation and for rate and amount of compensation; in determination of compensation, appeals, reviews and procedure, further providing for determination of compensation appeals; in Unemployment Compensation Amnesty Program, further providing for definitions; and, in amnesty program, further providing for definitions.

PA SB1225

In sales and use tax, further providing for discount.

PA HB2278

In sales and use tax, further providing for discount.

PA HB1219

In personal income tax, further providing for classes of income and for special tax provisions for poverty and providing for alternative special tax provisions for poverty; in corporate net income tax, further providing for definitions, for imposition of tax, for reports and payment of tax, for consolidated reports and for manufacturing innovation and reinvestment deduction; in realty transfer tax, further providing for transfer of tax; in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for definitions; in entertainment production tax credit, further providing for definitions, for credit for qualified film production expenses, for carryover, carryback and assignment of credit and for limitations; in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits, providing for biotechnology; in neighborhood assistance tax credit, further providing for tax credit and for grant of tax credit; providing for expanded neighborhood improvement zones; in Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit Program, further providing for credit for child and dependent care employment-related expenses; providing for Public Transportation Trust Fund; and, in general provisions, further providing for underpayment of estimated tax, for method of filing and for allocation of tax credits.

PA HB2099

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

PA SB11

In the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for powers and duties of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; in primary and election expenses, further providing for definitions, for organization of political committees, treasurer and assistant treasurer and records of candidate and committees, for registration and for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons, providing for limitations on certain contributions, further providing for residual funds, for late filing fee and certificate of filing, for contributions or expenditures by national banks, corporations or unincorporated associations, for advertising and for reports by business entities and publication by Secretary of the Commonwealth and providing for independent expenditures and for independent expenditure evaluation; and providing for corporate political accountability.

PA HB793

Repealing the act of July 13, 1953 (P.L.389, No.86), known as the Consumers Sales Tax Act.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.