Pennsylvania 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB191 Introduced / Bill

                     
PRINTER'S NO. 141 
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL 
No.191 
Session of 
2025 
INTRODUCED BY STREET, COSTA AND KANE, JANUARY 29, 2025 
REFERRED TO FINANCE, JANUARY 29, 2025 
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An 
act relating to tax reform and State taxation by codifying 
and enumerating certain subjects of taxation and imposing 
taxes thereon; providing procedures for the payment, 
collection, administration and enforcement thereof; providing 
for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers and 
imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain 
employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations 
and other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and 
penalties," in tax credit and tax benefit administration, 
further providing for definitions; in research and 
development tax credit, further providing for limitation on 
credits; and providing for Angel Investment Tax Credit.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1.  The definition of "tax credit" in section 1701-
A.1 of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax 
Reform Code of 1971, is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
Section 1701-A.1.  Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article 
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Tax credit."  A tax credit authorized under any of the 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 following:
* * *
(8.2)  Article XVII-M.
* * *
Section 2.  Section 1709-B(a) of the act is amended to read:
Section 1709-B.  Limitation on Credits.--(a)  The total 
amount of credits approved by the department shall not exceed 
[sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) ] one hundred million 
dollars ($100,000,000) in any fiscal year. Of that amount, 
[twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) ] twenty million dollars 
($20,000,000) shall be allocated exclusively for small 
businesses. However, if the total amounts allocated to either 
the group of applicants exclusive of small businesses or the 
group of small business applicants is not approved in any fiscal 
year, the unused portion will become available for use by the 
other group of qualifying taxpayers.
* * *
Section 3.  The act is amended by adding an article to read:
ARTICLE XVII-M
ANGEL INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT
Section 1701-M.  Scope of article.
This article relates to the Angel Investment Tax Credit.
Section 1702-M.  Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article 
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Accredited investor."  Any of the following:
(1)  An individual whose net worth or joint net worth 
with the individual's spouse exceeds $1,000,000.
(2)  An individual who had individual income in excess of 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 2 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income 
with that individual's spouse in excess of $300,000 in each 
of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching 
the same income level in the current year.
(3)  An entity in which all of the equity owners meet 
paragraph (1) or (2).
"Business plan."  An outline of business structure and a 
formal statement of business goals, including an explanation of 
how the goals are anticipated to be achieved.
"Department."  The Department of Community and Economic 
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Pass-through entity."   	A partnership as defined in section  
301(n.0) or a Pennsylvania S corporation as defined in section 
301(n.1).
"Program."  The Angel Investment Tax Credit Program 
established in this article.
"Qualified business venture."  A business that meets all of 
the following criteria:
(1)  Is headquartered or that will establish its 
headquarters in this Commonwealth prior to the time that the 
taxpayer is eligible to apply for the tax credit.
(2)  Maintains its headquarters in this Commonwealth for 
at least five years after the taxpayer applied for the tax 
credit.
(3)  Employs at least 51% of its employees in this 
Commonwealth at the time that the taxpayer applies for the 
tax credit.
(4)  Has fewer than 100 employees at the time that the 
taxpayer applies for the tax credit.
(5)  Has been in operation in this Commonwealth for not 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 3 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 more than five consecutive years at the time that the 
taxpayer applies for the tax credit.
(6)  Has not received more than $2,000,000, in the 
aggregate, in private equity investments of which not more 
than $1,000,000 was invested by a single investor.
"Qualified investment."  A payment of money or its equivalent 
for a private equity interest in a qualified business venture.
"Qualified tax liability."  The liability for taxes imposed 
under Article III, IV or VI. The term shall include the 
liability for taxes imposed under Article III on an owner of a 
pass-through entity.
"Secretary."  The Secretary of Community and Economic 
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Tax credit."  The Angel Investment Tax Credit authorized 
under this article.
"Taxpayer."  A person subject to tax under Article III, IV or 
VI. The term includes the shareholder, owner or member of a 
pass-through entity that receives a tax credit.
Section 1703-M.  Angel Investment Tax Credit Program.
The Angel Investment Tax Credit Program is established in the 
department. The program shall:
(1)  Create a business environment that attracts and 
encourages early-stage financing for businesses with the 
potential for high growth.
(2)  Increase capital investment.
(3)  Encourage job creation.
Section 1704-M.  Qualified business plans.
In order for a business plan to be qualified, the business 
plan must:
(1)  Indicate the potential for increasing jobs in this 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 4 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 Commonwealth.
(2)  Indicate the potential for increasing capital 
investment in this Commonwealth.
(3)  Specify that the plan is based upon the development 
or commercialization of intellectual property for which 
either of the following apply:
(i)  patent protection under 35 U.S.C. (relating to 
patents) has been secured or is pending; or
(ii)  a copyright under 17 U.S.C. (relating to 
copyrights) has been secured or is pending.
Section 1705-M.  Credit for qualified investment.
(a)  Application.--A taxpayer that made a qualified 
investment in a taxable year may apply for a tax credit. The 
application shall be on a form as required by the department and 
shall include all of the following:
(1)  The name and address of the applicant.
(2)  The name and address of the business in which the 
taxpayer has invested.
(3)  A certified copy of the qualified business plan.
(4)  Documentation that the applicant is an accredited 
investor.
(5)  Documentation that the business in which the 
taxpayer has invested is a qualified business venture.
(6)  Documentation that the qualified investment has been 
made by the applicant.
(7)  Any other information required by the department.
(b)  Review.--The department, in conjunction with the 
Department of Revenue, shall review the application and 
determine if:
(1)  All requirements established under this article have 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 5 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 been met.
(2)  The applicant has filed all required State tax 
reports and returns for all taxable years and paid any 
balance of State tax due as determined by the Department of 
Revenue.
(c)  Approval.--Upon being satisfied under subsection (b), 
the department shall approve the application and award the 
taxpayer a tax credit for the taxable year in the amount equal 
to 25% of the taxpayer's qualified investment made during the 
taxable year.
(d)  Notification.--The department shall notify the taxpayer 
of the amount of the taxpayer's tax credit within 30 days after 
approval by the department.
Section 1706-M.  Carryover, application of tax credit, 
carryback, refund and assignment.
(a)  Carryover.--If the taxpayer cannot use the entire amount 
of the tax credit for the taxable year in which the tax credit 
is first approved, the excess may be carried over to succeeding 
taxable years and used as a credit against the qualified tax 
liability of the taxpayer for those taxable years. Each time 
that the tax credit is carried over to a succeeding taxable 
year, the tax credit shall be reduced by the amount that was 
used as a credit during the immediately preceding taxable year. 
The tax credit may be carried over and applied to succeeding 
taxable years for no more than seven taxable years following the 
first taxable year for which the taxpayer was entitled to claim 
the tax credit.
(b)  Application of tax credit.--A tax credit approved by the 
department for a qualified investment in a taxable year shall 
first be applied against the taxpayer's qualified tax liability 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 6 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 for the current taxable year as of the date on which the tax 
credit was approved before the tax credit is applied against any 
tax liability under subsection (a).
(c)  Carryback or refund.--A taxpayer is not entitled to 
carry back or obtain a refund of an unused tax credit.
(d)  Sale or assignment.--A taxpayer, upon application to and 
approval by the department in consultation with the Department 
of Revenue, may sell or assign, in whole or in part, a tax 
credit granted to the taxpayer if the taxpayer does not have a 
qualified tax liability against which the tax credit may be 
applied in the current taxable year. The department shall 
establish guidelines, in consultation with the Department of 
Revenue, for the approval of applications under this subsection. 
Before an application is approved, the Department of Revenue 
must make a finding that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's 
assignee have filed all required State tax reports and returns 
for all taxable years and paid any balance of State tax due as 
determined by the Department of Revenue.
(e)  Purchasers and assignees.--The purchaser or assignee of 
all or a portion of a tax credit under subsection (d) shall 
immediately claim the credit in the taxable year in which the 
purchase or assignment is made, although the purchaser or 
assignee may carry over unused tax credit to the succeeding 
taxable year for up to two years. The amount of the tax credit 
that a purchaser or assignee may use against any one qualified 
tax liability may not exceed 75% of the qualified tax liability 
for the taxable year. The purchaser or assignee may not carry 
back or obtain a refund of or sell or assign the tax credit. The 
purchaser or assignee shall notify the department, and the 
department shall notify the Department of Revenue of the seller 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 7 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 or assignor of the tax credit in compliance with procedures 
specified by the department, in consultation with the Department 
of Revenue.
Section 1707-M.  Time limitation.
A taxpayer shall not be entitled to a tax credit for 
qualified investments incurred in taxable years ending after 
December 31,  2033 . 
Section 1708-M.  Limitation on tax credits.
(a)  Total amount.--The total amount of tax credits approved 
by the department in any calendar year may not exceed 
$20,000,000.
(b)  Allocation.--Tax credits shall be allocated by the 
department on a first-come, first-served basis.
Section 1709-M.  Shareholder, owner or member pass-through.
(a)  Shareholder entitlement.--If a Pennsylvania S 
corporation does not have an eligible tax liability against 
which the tax credit may be applied, a shareholder of the 
Pennsylvania S corporation shall be entitled to a tax credit 
equal to the tax credit determined for the Pennsylvania S 
corporation for the taxable year multiplied by the percentage of 
the Pennsylvania S corporation's distributive income to which 
the shareholder is entitled.
(b)  Pass-through entity entitlement.--If a pass-through 
entity other than a Pennsylvania S corporation does not have tax 
liability against which the tax credit may be applied, an owner 
or member of the pass-through entity shall be entitled to a tax 
credit equal to the tax credit determined for the pass-through 
entity for the taxable year multiplied by the percentage of the 
pass-through entity's distributive income to which the owner or 
member is entitled.
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 8 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 (c)  Additional credit.--
(1)  Except as provided under paragraph (2), the tax 
credit provided under subsection (a) or (b) shall be in 
addition to any other tax credit to which a shareholder, 
owner or member of a pass-through entity is otherwise 
entitled under this article.
(2)  A pass-through entity and a shareholder, owner or 
member of a pass-through entity may not claim a tax credit 
for the same qualified investment.
Section 1710-M.  Repayment.
The department shall require a taxpayer to repay a tax credit 
granted to the taxpayer where the department, in conjunction 
with the Department of Revenue, determines that any of the 
following conditions exist:
(1)  The qualified business venture did not satisfy the 
requirements of the qualified business plan submitted at the 
time of application.
(2)  The business in which the taxpayer made the 
qualified investment is no longer a qualified business 
venture.
(3)  The taxpayer received the tax credit as a result of 
fraud.
Section 1711-M.  Recapture.
A taxpayer shall repay to the Commonwealth any or all of the 
tax credit claimed by the taxpayer if the taxpayer withdraws any 
portion of the taxpayer's qualified investment at any time 
during the period commencing with the date of the taxpayer's 
investment through the taxable year that the taxpayer claims or 
carries over unused portions of the tax credit under section 
1706-M. The amount of the repayment shall be calculated as 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 9 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 follows:
(1)  If the withdrawal occurs in the taxable year in 
which the investment was made or in the taxable year 
following the taxable year in which the investment was made, 
the aggregate amount of the tax credit claimed by the 
taxpayer during both taxable years shall be repaid to the 
Commonwealth.
(2)  If the withdrawal occurs in the second taxable year 
following the taxable year in which the investment was made 
or any subsequent taxable year, the amount of the tax credit 
claimed by the taxpayer in the taxable year in which the 
withdrawal occurs shall be repaid to the Commonwealth.
Section 1712-M.  Reports.
(a)  Annual report.--The secretary shall submit an annual 
report to the chairperson and minority chairperson of each 
standing committee in the Senate and the chairperson and 
minority chairperson of each standing committee in the House of 
Representatives with jurisdiction over the department and the 
Department of Revenue as follows:
(1)  The report shall indicate the effectiveness of the 
tax credit.
(2)  The report shall be submitted no later than March 15 
following the fiscal year in which the tax credit was 
approved.
(3)  Notwithstanding any law providing for the 
confidentiality of tax records, the report shall include the 
following:
(i)  The names of all taxpayers awarded the tax 
credit.
(ii)  The names of all taxpayers utilizing the tax 
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 10 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 credit.
(iii)  The amount of tax credits approved and 
utilized by each taxpayer.
(iv)  The names and locations of the qualified 
business ventures for which the tax credit was awarded.
(4)  The report may include any recommendation for 
changes in the calculation or administration of the tax 
credit.
(b)  Public record.--The report shall be considered a public 
record as defined in section 102 of the act of February 14, 2008 
(P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.
Section 1713-M.  Termination.
The department may not approve a tax credit for qualified 
investments incurred in taxable years ending after December 31, 
2033 . 
Section 1714-M.  Guidelines.
The department, in consultation with the Department of 
Revenue, shall develop written guidelines for the implementation 
and administration of this article. The guidelines shall be 
posted on the department's publicly accessible Internet website 	. 
Section 4.  The addition of Article XVII-M of the act shall 
apply to qualified investments made in taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 2025.
Section 5.  This act shall take effect as follows:
(1)  The following shall take effect immediately:
The addition of Article XVII-M of the act.
Section 3 of this act.
This section.
(2)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60 
days.
20250SB0191PN0141 	- 11 - 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30