State Guide

Pennsylvania Business License

This guide covers Pennsylvania's general business license requirements — state-level registration, local city and county licenses, fees, and renewal timelines.

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Overview

Pennsylvania requires businesses selling taxable goods or services to obtain a Sales Tax License from the PA Department of Revenue before making their first sale.

Local Pennsylvania cities — especially Philadelphia and Pittsburgh — have significant additional business licensing requirements. The Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) is one of the most significant local business taxes in the country.

Pennsylvania Sales Tax License

Primary agencyPennsylvania Department of Revenue
Legal authority72 P.S. § 7222
Key noteSales Tax License ($0) required for businesses making taxable sales. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have major additional local requirements.

Initial Registration

Filing methodOnline at myPATH or by paper PA-100
Agency feeNo fee

Registration Renewal

Filing methodLicense does not expire; file returns quarterly
Due dateReturns due monthly or quarterly based on volume

Local General Business Licenses

Pennsylvania cities have significant local business licensing and tax requirements.

Counties

Adams CountyAllegheny CountyArmstrong CountyBeaver CountyBedford CountyBerks CountyBlair CountyBradford CountyBucks CountyButler CountyCambria CountyCameron CountyCarbon CountyCentre CountyChester CountyClarion CountyClearfield CountyClinton CountyColumbia CountyCrawford CountyCumberland CountyDauphin CountyDelaware CountyElk CountyErie CountyFayette CountyForest CountyFranklin CountyFulton CountyGreene CountyHuntingdon CountyIndiana CountyJefferson CountyJuniata CountyLackawanna CountyLancaster CountyLawrence CountyLebanon CountyLehigh CountyLuzerne CountyLycoming CountyMcKean CountyMercer CountyMifflin CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyMontour CountyNorthampton CountyNorthumberland CountyPerry CountyPhiladelphia CountyPike CountyPotter CountySchuylkill CountySnyder CountySomerset CountySullivan CountySusquehanna CountyTioga CountyUnion CountyVenango CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWestmoreland CountyWyoming CountyYork County

Cities & Townships

AllentownAltoonaBethlehem City (Lehigh County)Bethlehem City (Northampton County)BloomsburgButlerChesterCoatesvilleEastonErieHarrisburgHazletonLancasterLansdaleLower BurrellMonroeville MunicipalityNew CastleNorristownPhiladelphiaPittsburghPottstownReadingScrantonState CollegeWilliamsportWyomissingYork

EntityEngine does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the issuing agency. Confirm with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue →

Frequently Asked Questions

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