Pennsylvania Sales Tax Guide (2026)
Pennsylvania's 6% rate rises to 8% in Philadelphia and 7% in Allegheny County. Economic nexus begins at $100,000.
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Key Takeaways
Pennsylvania's state sales tax rate is 6%, plus 1% in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) and 2% in Philadelphia, for combined rates of 6% to 8% [1]. You have economic nexus once total gross sales into Pennsylvania exceed $100,000 in the previous calendar year, with no transaction-count trigger [2]. Pennsylvania taxes SaaS and digital products as the use of prewritten software, while most clothing and groceries are exempt [3][4]. Petition for reassessment with the Board of Appeals within 60 days of an assessment [5].
Taxability Snapshot
SaaS
Taxable
Clothing
Exempt
Groceries
Exempt
Digital Goods
Taxable
Sales Tax Rates
Pennsylvania's state sales and use tax rate is 6%. Only two local add-ons exist: Philadelphia adds 2% (8% total) and Allegheny County adds 1% (7% total). Everywhere else the rate is a flat 6%.
Component | Rate | Scope |
|---|---|---|
State | 6.00% | Statewide |
Philadelphia | +2.00% | Philadelphia |
Allegheny County | +1.00% | Allegheny (Pittsburgh) |
Combined | 6.0%–8.0% | Varies by location |
Combined rates in major Pennsylvania cities (2026):
City | Combined rate |
|---|---|
Philadelphia | 8.0% |
Pittsburgh | 7.0% |
Allentown | 6.0% |
Erie | 6.0% |
Harrisburg | 6.0% |
To find the combined rate for a specific address, use our US sales tax calculator.
Effective date:
Scheduled change:
Registration or Nexus Threshold
Pennsylvania economic nexus applies once your total gross sales into the state exceed $100,000 in the previous calendar year, including marketplace sales. There is no transaction-count trigger. Physical presence creates nexus immediately.
Marketplace Facilitator Law
Effective for transactions on or after July 1, 2019, Pennsylvania requires a marketplace facilitator with economic nexus to register, collect, and remit sales tax on all Pennsylvania sales it facilitates, including sales for marketplace sellers who lack their own nexus. A facilitator without physical presence measures economic nexus the same way general remote sellers do: more than $100,000 of gross sales into Pennsylvania in the previous twelve months, counting both its direct and facilitated sales. A marketplace seller without physical presence excludes from its own nexus calculation any sales for which a facilitator collects and remits Pennsylvania tax on its behalf, and generally does not need a separate license for those facilitated sales.[9]
Filing Frequency & Deadlines
Pennsylvania assigns monthly, quarterly, or semiannual filing based on tax liability. Returns are due the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Large monthly filers must make an accelerated prepayment toward the current month's tax.
Exemptions
Pennsylvania exempts groceries, most clothing, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and many medical supplies. It taxes digital goods and SaaS as the use of prewritten software; custom software written for a single customer can be exempt.
Resale & Exemption Certificates
Pennsylvania buyers give the seller Form REV-1220 (Exemption Certificate) to claim resale or another exemption, checking either single-transaction or blanket use [7]. A blanket certificate stays valid for future exempt purchases; the seller must accept it in good faith and keep it at least four years [7].
Penalties
Late filing carries a penalty of 5% of the tax due per month, up to a 25% maximum. Late payment adds further penalty and interest from the due date.
Audits & Appeals
You file a petition for reassessment with the Board of Appeals within 60 days of the assessment notice's mailing date, through the online Petition Center or Form REV-65 [5]. A Board decision can be appealed further to the Board of Finance and Revenue [5].
Sources
[1] Pennsylvania DOR — Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax (6% state, local)
[3] Pennsylvania DOR — Canned Software and Digital Goods (SaaS taxable)
[4] Pennsylvania DOR — REV-717 Retailers Information (clothing and food exemptions)
[5] Pennsylvania DOR — Tax Appeals (Board of Appeals, 60 days)
[6] Pennsylvania DOR — Digital Products (taxable since 2016)
[7] Pennsylvania DOR — Form REV-1220 (Exemption Certificate)
[9] Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 2019-01
Verified July 2026 against Pennsylvania Department of Revenue published guidance.
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