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                                                       PRINTER'S NO. 574

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 100 Session of 2003


        INTRODUCED BY JUBELIRER, BRIGHTBILL, PICCOLA, RHOADES, DENT,
           RAFFERTY, WENGER, KASUNIC, TOMLINSON, ROBBINS, MADIGAN,
           M. WHITE, MOWERY, CONTI, WAUGH, THOMPSON, PUNT, HELFRICK,
           ERICKSON, WONDERLING AND ARMSTRONG, MARCH 24, 2003

        REFERRED TO FINANCE, MARCH 24, 2003

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
     2     act relating to the public school system, including certain
     3     provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
     4     schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
     5     laws relating thereto," providing for the imposition and
     6     collection of an earned income and net profits tax by school
     7     districts after approval by the electors.

     8     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     9  hereby enacts as follows:
    10     Section 1.  The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
    11  as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
    12  article to read:
    13                            ARTICLE VI-A
    14                    TAXATION BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
    15                      (a)  General Provisions.
    16  Section 601-A.  Short title of article.
    17     This article shall be known and may be cited as the Taxpayer
    18  Choice Act.
    19  Section 602-A.  Definitions.


     1     The following words and phrases when used in this article
     2  shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     3  context clearly indicates otherwise:
     4     "Board of school directors."  A board of school directors of
     5  a school district of the second class, third class or fourth
     6  class.
     7     "Budgeted revenue."  Local tax revenue. The term shall not
     8  include revenue from any of the following:
     9         (1)  Delinquent taxes.
    10         (2)  Payments in lieu of taxes.
    11         (3)  The real estate transfer tax.
    12         (4)  The distribution of the public utility realty tax
    13     imposed under Article XI-A of the act of March 4, 1971
    14     (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
    15         (5)  A mercantile or business privilege tax on gross
    16     receipts.
    17         (6)  An amusement or admissions tax.
    18     "Business."  As defined in section 301 of the act of March 4,
    19  1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
    20     "Current year."  The fiscal year for which a tax is levied.
    21     "Department."  The Department of Community and Economic
    22  Development of the Commonwealth.
    23     "Domicile."  As defined in section 13 of the act of December
    24  31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling
    25  Act.
    26     "Dwelling."  A structure used as a place of habitation by a
    27  natural person.
    28     "Earned income."  All of the classes of income defined as
    29  earned income in section 13 of the act of December 31, 1965
    30  (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act.
    20030S0100B0574                  - 2 -     

     1     "Election officials."  The county board of elections of a
     2  county.
     3     "Employer."  As defined in section 301 of the act of March 4,
     4  1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
     5     "Farmstead."  All buildings and structures on a farm not less
     6  than ten contiguous acres in area, not otherwise exempt from
     7  real property taxation or qualified for any other abatement or
     8  exclusion pursuant to any other law, that are used primarily:
     9         (1)  to produce or store any farm product produced on the
    10     farm for purposes of commercial agricultural production;
    11         (2)  to house or confine any animal raised or maintained
    12     on the farm for the purpose of commercial agricultural
    13     production;
    14         (3)  to store any agricultural supply to be used on the
    15     farm in commercial agricultural production; or
    16         (4)  to store any machinery or equipment used on the farm
    17     in commercial agricultural production.
    18  This term shall only apply to farms used as the domicile of an
    19  owner.
    20     "Farmstead property."  A property designated as a farmstead
    21  by the county in which it is located.
    22     "Homestead."  A dwelling, including the parcel of land on
    23  which the dwelling is located and the other improvements located
    24  on the parcel for which any of the following apply:
    25         (1)  The dwelling is primarily used as the domicile of an
    26     owner who is a natural person. The homestead for real
    27     property qualifying under this paragraph shall not include
    28     the land on which the dwelling is located if the land is not
    29     owned by a person who owns the dwelling.
    30         (2)  The dwelling is a unit in a condominium as the term
    20030S0100B0574                  - 3 -     

     1     is defined in 68 Pa.C.S. § 3103 (relating to definitions) and
     2     the unit is primarily used as the domicile of a natural
     3     person who is an owner of the unit; or the dwelling is a unit
     4     in a cooperative as the term is defined in 68 Pa.C.S. § 4103
     5     (relating to definitions) and the unit is primarily used as
     6     the domicile of a natural person who is an owner of the unit.
     7     The homestead for a unit in a condominium or a cooperative
     8     shall be limited to the assessed value of the unit, which
     9     shall be determined in a manner consistent with the
    10     assessment of real property taxes on those units under 68
    11     Pa.C.S. (relating to real and personal property) or as
    12     otherwise provided by law. If the unit is not separately
    13     assessed for real property taxes, the homestead shall be a
    14     pro rata share of the real property.
    15         (3)  The dwelling does not qualify under paragraphs (1)
    16     and (2) and a portion of the dwelling is used as the domicile
    17     of an owner who is a natural person. The homestead for real
    18     property qualifying under this paragraph shall be the portion
    19     of the real property that is equal to the portion of the
    20     dwelling that is used as the domicile of an owner.
    21     "Homestead property."  A property designated as a homestead
    22  by the county in which it is located.
    23     "Local Tax Enabling Act."  The act of December 31, 1965
    24  (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act.
    25     "Local tax revenue."  The revenue from taxes actually levied
    26  and assessed by a school district. The term does not include
    27  interest or dividend earnings, Federal or State grants,
    28  contracts or appropriations, income generated from operations or
    29  any other source that is not derived from taxes levied and
    30  assessed by a school district.
    20030S0100B0574                  - 4 -     

     1     "Municipality."  As defined in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to
     2  definitions).
     3     "Net profits."  All of the classes of income defined as net
     4  profits in section 13 of the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257,
     5  No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act.
     6     "Owner."  Includes any of the following:
     7         (1)  A joint tenant or tenant in common.
     8         (2)  A person who is a purchaser of real property under a
     9     contract.
    10         (3)  A partial owner.
    11         (4)  A person who owns real property as a result of being
    12     a beneficiary of a will or trust or as a result of intestate
    13     succession.
    14         (5)  A person who owns or purchases a dwelling on leased
    15     land.
    16         (6)  A person who holds a life lease in real property
    17     previously sold or transferred to another.
    18         (7)  A person in possession under a life estate.
    19         (8)  A grantor who has placed the real property in a
    20     revocable trust.
    21         (9)  A member of a cooperative as defined in 68 Pa.C.S. §
    22     4103 (relating to definitions).
    23         (10)  A unit owner of a condominium as defined in 68
    24     Pa.C.S. § 3103 (relating to definitions).
    25         (11)  A partner of a family farm partnership or a
    26     shareholder of a family farm corporation as the terms are
    27     defined in section 1101-C of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
    28     No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
    29     "Political subdivision."  As defined in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991
    30  (relating to definitions).
    20030S0100B0574                  - 5 -     

     1     "Preceding year."  The fiscal year before the current year.
     2     "Primarily used."  Usage of at least 51% of the square
     3  footage of a dwelling.
     4     "Resident individual."  An individual who is domiciled in a
     5  school district.
     6     "School district."  A school district of the second class,
     7  third class or fourth class.
     8     "Statewide average weekly wage."  That amount determined
     9  annually for each calendar year by the Department of Labor and
    10  Industry under section 105.1 of the act of June 2, 1915
    11  (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act.
    12     "Succeeding year."  The fiscal year following the current
    13  year.
    14     "Tax Reform Code."  The act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2),
    15  known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
    16     "Taxpayer."  An individual required under this article to
    17  file a tax return or to pay a tax.
    18  Section 603-A.  Scope and limitations.
    19     (a)  General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b) and
    20  section 605-A, it is the intent of this article to confer upon
    21  each school district the power to levy, assess and collect an
    22  earned income and net profits tax as set forth in subdivision
    23  (c).
    24     (b)  Real estate transfer taxes.--This article shall not be
    25  construed to affect the power of a school district to levy,
    26  assess and collect a real estate transfer tax.
    27     (c)  Occupation tax.--This article shall not be construed to
    28  affect the power of a school district to do any of the
    29  following:
    30         (1)  To elect to place a referendum question on the
    20030S0100B0574                  - 6 -     

     1     ballot pursuant to the act of June 22, 2001 (P.L.374, No.24),
     2     known as the Optional Occupation Tax Elimination Act. A
     3     school district may place such referendum question on the
     4     ballot at the same municipal election as a referendum
     5     question placed on the ballot pursuant to subdivision (b).
     6         (2)  To eliminate its occupation tax pursuant to the
     7     Optional Occupation Tax Elimination Act.
     8  Section 604-A.  Preemption.
     9     No act of the General Assembly shall be construed to vacate
    10  or preempt any resolution adopted under this article providing
    11  for the imposition of a tax by a school district unless the act
    12  of the General Assembly expressly vacates or preempts the
    13  authority to adopt the resolution.
    14  Section 605-A.  Certain rates of taxation limited.
    15     If a municipality and school district both impose an earned
    16  income and net profits tax on the same individual under the
    17  Local Tax Enabling Act and the municipality and school district
    18  are limited to or have agreed upon a division of the tax rate in
    19  accordance with section 8 of the Local Tax Enabling Act, then
    20  the municipality that continues to levy the earned income and
    21  net profits tax under the Local Tax Enabling Act shall remain
    22  subject to that limitation or agreement in the event that the
    23  school district opts to impose an earned income and net profits
    24  tax under section 621-A.
    25                       (b) Tax Authorization.
    26  Section 611-A.  General tax authorization.
    27     Subject to sections 613-A and 614-A, each school district may
    28  by resolution levy, assess and collect or provide for the
    29  levying, assessment and collection of an earned income and net
    30  profits tax under subdivision (c).
    20030S0100B0574                  - 7 -     

     1  Section 612-A.  Continuity of tax.
     2     An earned income and net profits tax levied under the
     3  provisions of subdivision (c) shall continue in force on a
     4  fiscal year basis without annual reenactment unless the rate of
     5  tax is increased or the tax is subsequently repealed.
     6  Section 613-A.  Adoption of referendum.
     7     (a)  General rule.--
     8         (1)  In order to levy an earned income and net profits
     9     tax under subdivision (c), a board of school directors shall
    10     use the procedures set forth in subsection (b).
    11         (2)  A board of school directors after making an election
    12     to levy an earned income and net profits tax under
    13     subdivision (c) may, after a period of at least five full
    14     fiscal years, elect under the provisions of subsection (c) to
    15     end participation under this subdivision. If the electorate
    16     approves a referendum to do so, the board of school directors
    17     may not continue to levy an earned income and net profits tax
    18     under subdivision (c).
    19     (b)  Public referendum requirements.--Except as set forth in
    20  subsection (d) the following apply:
    21         (1)  Subject to the notice and hearing requirements of
    22     section 626-A, a board of school directors may levy the
    23     earned income and net profits tax under subdivision (c) only
    24     by obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected
    25     school district in a public referendum at only the municipal
    26     election preceding the fiscal year when the earned income and
    27     net profits tax will be initially imposed. At the municipal
    28     election next occurring after the effective date of this
    29     section, each board of school directors shall cause the
    30     referendum question required by this section to be submitted
    20030S0100B0574                  - 8 -     

     1     to the electors of the school district.
     2         (2)  If the board of school directors fails to adopt the
     3     resolution required under section 626-A within 90 days
     4     preceding the municipal election next occurring after the
     5     effective date of this section, the county board of elections
     6     shall prepare a referendum question for the school district
     7     that provides for an earned income and net profits tax as
     8     authorized under subdivision (c) at the maximum rate
     9     permitted. At the municipal election next occurring after the
    10     effective date of this section, the county board of elections
    11     shall cause the referendum question required by this section
    12     to be submitted to the electors of the school district.
    13         (3)  The referendum question shall state the initial rate
    14     of the proposed earned income and net profits tax to be
    15     levied under subdivision (c), the reason for the tax and the
    16     amount of proposed budgeted revenue growth, if any, in the
    17     first fiscal year following adoption of the referendum,
    18     expressed as a percent increase over the prior year's
    19     budgeted revenue. Any increase in budgeted revenue between
    20     the first fiscal year following adoption of the referendum
    21     and the prior year's budgeted revenue shall not exceed 2%.
    22     The question shall be in clear language that is readily
    23     understandable by a layperson. For the purpose of
    24     illustration, a referendum question may be framed as follows:
    25         Do you favor the imposition of an earned income and net
    26         profits tax of X% to be used to reduce residential real
    27         property taxes by X% by means of a homestead or farmstead
    28         exclusion and provide for a one-time revenue increase of
    29         X% over the preceding fiscal year?
    30  A nonlegal interpretative statement shall accompany the
    20030S0100B0574                  - 9 -     

     1  referendum question in accordance with section 201.1 of the act
     2  of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania
     3  Election Code. A board of school directors of a school district
     4  in which a referendum under this section has been approved shall
     5  not be subject to the provisions of section 614-A for any future
     6  increases in the earned income and net profits tax rates
     7  authorized under subdivision (c). If the referendum question
     8  fails to receive a majority vote pursuant to this section,
     9  approval of the electorate under section 614-A shall not be
    10  required to levy any tax or increase the rate of any tax which
    11  the board of school directors of the affected school district is
    12  authorized to levy and increase pursuant to any other act.
    13     (c)  Public referendum requirements to end participation
    14  under this subdivision.--Subject to the notice and public
    15  hearing requirements in section 4 of the Local Tax Enabling Act,
    16  a board of school directors may elect to end participation under
    17  this subdivision in accordance with subsection (a)(2) by
    18  obtaining the approval of the electorate of the affected school
    19  district in a public referendum at a municipal election.
    20     (d)  Nonapplicability.--This section shall not apply to any
    21  of the following:
    22         (1)  A school district in which a referendum question
    23     under 53 Pa.C.S. § 8703 (relating to adoption of referendum)
    24     has been approved and implemented.
    25         (2)  A school district of the first class.
    26         (3)  A school district of the first class A.
    27         (4)  A school district certified as distressed pursuant
    28     to section 691 or an education empowerment district pursuant
    29     to section 1705-B or 1707-B.
    30  Section 614-A.  Public referendum requirements for increasing
    20030S0100B0574                 - 10 -     

     1                     certain taxes.
     2     (a)  Applicability.--This section shall apply to the board of
     3  school directors of a school district in which a referendum
     4  under section 613-A is approved.
     5     (b)  Prohibitions.--Except as set forth in subsection (f),
     6  unless there is compliance with subsection (c), a board of
     7  school directors may not do any of the following:
     8         (1)  Increase the rate of a tax levied for the support of
     9     the public schools by more than the percentage increase in
    10     the Statewide average weekly wage in the preceding year.
    11         (2)  Levy a tax for the support of the public schools
    12     which was not levied in the fiscal year in which a referendum
    13     under section 613-A was approved.
    14     (c)  Referendum.--
    15         (1)  In order to take an action under subsection (b)(1),
    16     at the primary election immediately preceding the fiscal year
    17     in which the proposed tax increase would take effect:
    18             (i)  a referendum stating the specific rate or rates
    19         of the tax increase must be submitted to the electors
    20         residing in the school district; and
    21             (ii)  a majority of the electors voting on the
    22         referendum must approve the increase.
    23         (2)  In order to take an action under subsection (b)(2),
    24     at the primary election immediately preceding the fiscal year
    25     in which the proposed tax would take effect:
    26             (i)  a referendum stating the specific tax and rate
    27         to be levied must be submitted to the electors residing
    28         in the school district; and
    29             (ii)  a majority of the electors voting on the
    30         referendum must approve the tax.
    20030S0100B0574                 - 11 -     

     1     (d)  Failure to approve referendum.--
     2         (1)  If there is no approval under subsection (c)(1)(ii),
     3     the board of school directors may approve an increase in the
     4     tax rate of not more than the percentage increase in the
     5     Statewide average weekly wage in the preceding year.
     6         (2)  If there is no approval under subsection (c)(2)(ii),
     7     the board of school directors may not levy the tax.
     8     (e)  Exception to general rule.--The provisions of subsection
     9  (b)(1) shall not apply to an increase in the rate of any tax
    10  levied for the support of the public schools which is less than
    11  or equal to the percentage increase in the Statewide average
    12  weekly wage in the preceding year. Prior to any increase under
    13  this subsection, the board of school directors shall certify to
    14  the Department of Education the estimates of local tax rates
    15  under this subsection. The Department of Education may, on its
    16  own motion or on petition of a person having standing under
    17  subsection (h), revise the estimates certified by the board of
    18  school directors and reduce the allowable increase in the rate
    19  of any tax under this subsection.
    20     (f)  Referendum exceptions.--The provisions of subsection
    21  (b)(1) shall not apply to an increase in the rate of any tax
    22  levied for the support of the public schools if the increase is
    23  necessary to respond to one or more of the following conditions:
    24         (1)  To respond to or recover from an emergency or
    25     disaster declared pursuant to 35 Pa.C.S. § 7301 (relating to
    26     general authority of Governor) or 75 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating
    27     to power of Governor during emergency), only for the duration
    28     of the emergency or disaster and for the costs of the
    29     recovery from the emergency or disaster.
    30         (2)  To implement a court order or an administrative
    20030S0100B0574                 - 12 -     

     1     order from a Federal or State agency that requires the
     2     expenditure of funds that exceed current available revenues,
     3     provided that the rate increase is rescinded following
     4     fulfillment of the court order or administrative order.
     5         (3)  (i)  To pay interest and principal on any
     6         indebtedness incurred under 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B
     7         (relating to indebtedness and borrowing) prior to the
     8         effective date of this section, provided that in no case
     9         may the school district incur additional debt under this
    10         paragraph, except for the refinancing of existing debt,
    11         including the payment of costs and expenses related to
    12         such refinancing and the establishment or funding of
    13         appropriate debt service reserves and provided further
    14         that the increase is rescinded following the final
    15         payment of interest and principal.
    16             (ii)  The exception provided under this paragraph may
    17         not be used in lieu of the referendum under subsection
    18         (c)(2) to pay for costs which could not be financed by
    19         the issuance of debt under 53 Pa.C.S. (relating to
    20         municipalities generally).
    21         (4)  To respond to conditions that pose an immediate
    22     threat of serious physical harm or injury to the students,
    23     staff or residents of the school district, but only until the
    24     conditions causing the threat have been fully resolved.
    25         (5)  Special purpose tax levies approved by the
    26     electorate.
    27         (6)  (i)  To maintain per-student local tax revenue in
    28         the school district at an amount not exceeding the amount
    29         of per-student local tax revenue at the level of the
    30         preceding year, adjusted for the percentage increase in
    20030S0100B0574                 - 13 -     

     1         the Statewide average weekly wage.
     2             (ii)  This paragraph shall apply only if the
     3         percentage growth in average daily membership in the
     4         school district between the current fiscal year and the
     5         third fiscal year immediately preceding the current
     6         fiscal year exceeds 10%. For the purposes of this
     7         paragraph, per-student local tax revenue shall be
     8         determined by dividing local tax revenue by average daily
     9         membership.
    10     (g)  Court action.--Prior to the imposition of the tax
    11  increase under subsection (f)(1), (2), (4) or (6), approval by
    12  the court of common pleas in the judicial district in which the
    13  administrative office of the school district is located must be
    14  obtained. The board of school directors shall publish in a
    15  newspaper of general circulation a notice of its intent to file
    16  an action under this subsection at least one week prior to the
    17  filing of the petition. The board of school directors shall also
    18  publish in a newspaper of general circulation notice, as soon as
    19  possible following notification from the court that a hearing
    20  has been scheduled, stating the date, time and place of the
    21  hearing on the petition. The following shall apply to any
    22  proceedings instituted under this subsection:
    23         (1)  The board of school directors must prove by clear
    24     and convincing evidence the necessity for the tax increase.
    25         (2)  The board of school directors must prove by clear
    26     and convincing evidence that there are no assets or other
    27     feasible alternatives available to the school district.
    28         (3)  The court shall determine the appropriate duration
    29     of the increase and may retain continuing jurisdiction. The
    30     court may, on its own motion or on petition of an interested
    20030S0100B0574                 - 14 -     

     1     party, revoke approval for or order rescission of a tax
     2     increase.
     3     (h)  Standing.--A person shall have standing as a party to a
     4  proceeding under this section as long as the person resides
     5  within or pays real property taxes to the taxing jurisdiction of
     6  the board of school directors instituting the action.
     7  Section 615-A.  Property tax limits on reassessment.
     8     After any county makes a countywide revision of assessment of
     9  real property at values based upon an established predetermined
    10  ratio as required by law or after any county changes its
    11  established predetermined ratio, a board of school directors in
    12  a school district in which a referendum under section 613-A has
    13  been approved, which after the effective date of this section
    14  for the first time levies its real estate taxes on that revised
    15  assessment or valuation, shall for the first year reduce its tax
    16  rate, if necessary, for the purpose of having the percentage
    17  increase in taxes levied for that year against the real
    18  properties contained in the duplicate for the preceding year be
    19  less than or equal to the percentage increase in the Statewide
    20  average weekly wage for the preceding year notwithstanding the
    21  increased valuations of such properties under the revised
    22  assessment. For the purpose of determining the total amount of
    23  taxes to be levied for the first year, the amount to be levied
    24  on newly constructed buildings or structures or on increased
    25  valuations based on new improvements made to existing houses
    26  need not be considered. The tax rate shall be fixed for that
    27  year at a figure which will accomplish this purpose. The
    28  provisions of section 614-A shall apply to increases in the tax
    29  rate above the limits provided in this section.
    30              (c)  Earned Income and Net Profits Tax.
    20030S0100B0574                 - 15 -     

     1  Section 621-A.  Authorization.
     2     A board of school directors may levy, assess and collect a
     3  tax on the earned income and net profits of resident individuals
     4  of the school district at a rate determined by the board of
     5  school directors, which rate may not exceed the rate required to
     6  provide an exclusion for farmstead property and an exclusion for
     7  homestead property equal to the maximum exclusion under 53
     8  Pa.C.S. § 8586 (relating to limitations), rounded to the nearest
     9  tenth of a percent. The exclusion for farmstead property granted
    10  under this section shall not exceed the amount granted for the
    11  exclusion for homestead property.
    12  Section 622-A.  Collections.
    13     A board of school directors imposing a tax under section 621-
    14  A shall designate the tax officer who is appointed under section
    15  10 of the Local Tax Enabling Act, or otherwise by law, as the
    16  collector of the earned income and net profits tax. In the
    17  performance of the tax collection duties under this subdivision,
    18  the designated tax officer shall have all the same powers,
    19  rights, responsibilities and duties for the collection of the
    20  taxes which may be imposed under the Local Tax Enabling Act, 53
    21  Pa.C.S. Ch. 84, Subch. C (relating to local taxpayers bill of
    22  rights) or as otherwise provided by law.
    23  Section 623-A.  Credits.
    24     (a)  General rule.--The provisions of section 14 of the Local
    25  Tax Enabling Act shall be applied by a board of school directors
    26  to determine any credits under the provisions of this
    27  subdivision for a tax imposed under section 621-A.
    28     (b)  Tax credit.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of law
    29  to the contrary, payment of a tax on salaries, wages,
    30  commissions or other compensation to a school district by
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     1  residents of the school district shall be credited and paid to
     2  the school district of residence and allowed as a deduction from
     3  the liability of the taxpayer for any other tax on salaries,
     4  wages, commissions or other compensation imposed by a city of
     5  the first class under the authority of the act of August 5, 1932
     6  (Sp.Sess., P.L.45, No.45), referred to as the Sterling Act.
     7  Section 624-A.  Earned income and net profits tax exemption.
     8     A school district that imposes a tax under section 621-A may
     9  exempt from the payment of that tax any person whose total
    10  income from all sources is less than $7,500.
    11  Section 625-A.  Rules and regulations.
    12     A tax imposed under section 621-A shall be subject to all
    13  regulations adopted under section 13 of the Local Tax Enabling
    14  Act. A school district may adopt regulations for the processing
    15  of claims for credits or exemptions under sections 623-A and
    16  624-A.
    17  Section 626-A.  Procedure and administration.
    18     In order to levy a tax under section 621-A, the board of
    19  school directors shall adopt a resolution which shall refer to
    20  this subdivision prior to placing a referendum question on the
    21  ballot under section 613-A. Prior to adopting a resolution
    22  imposing a tax under section 621-A, the board of school
    23  directors shall give public notice of its intent to adopt the
    24  resolution in the manner provided by section 4 of the Local Tax
    25  Enabling Act and shall conduct at least one public hearing
    26  regarding the proposed adoption of the resolution.
    27  Section 627-A.  Disposition of earned income and net profits tax
    28                     revenue.
    29     The disposition of revenue from a tax or an increase in the
    30  rate of a tax imposed by school districts under section 621-A
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     1  shall occur in the following manner:
     2         (1)  For the fiscal year of implementation of a newly
     3     imposed income tax, all earned income and net profits tax
     4     revenue received by a school district shall be used to
     5     provide for an increase in budgeted revenues over the
     6     preceding fiscal year in accordance with the amount specified
     7     in the referendum question approved by the voters under
     8     section 613-A and to reduce the school district real property
     9     tax by means of an exclusion for farmstead property and
    10     homestead property pursuant to section 621-A.
    11         (2)  For the fiscal year of implementation of an increase
    12     in the rate of the existing tax imposed under section 621-A,
    13     all revenue received by a school district directly
    14     attributable to the increased rate shall be used to reduce
    15     the school district real property tax by means of an
    16     exclusion for farmstead property and homestead property
    17     pursuant to section 621-A.
    18                           (d) Register.
    19  Section 691-A.  Register for taxes.
    20     (a)  General rule.--The department shall maintain an official
    21  continuing register supplemented annually of all earned income
    22  and net profits taxes levied under subdivision (c).
    23     (b)  Contents of register.--The register shall list:
    24         (1)  The school districts levying the tax.
    25         (2)  The rate of tax as stated in the resolution levying
    26     the tax.
    27         (3)  The rate on taxpayers.
    28         (4)  The name and address of the official responsible for
    29     administering the collection of the tax and from whom
    30     information, forms and copies of regulations are available.
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     1  Section 692-A.  Information for register.
     2     Information for the register shall be furnished by the school
     3  district to the department as prescribed by the department. The
     4  information must be received by the department no later than
     5  July 15 of each year to show new tax enactments, repeals and
     6  changes. Failure to comply with the filing date may result in
     7  the omission of the tax levy from the register for that year.
     8  Failure of the department to receive information of taxes
     9  continued without change may be construed by the department to
    10  mean that the information contained in the previous register
    11  remains in force.
    12  Section 693-A.  Availability and effective period of register.
    13     The register, with such annual supplements as may be required
    14  by new tax enactments, repeals or changes, shall be available
    15  upon request no later than August 15 of each year. The effective
    16  period for each register shall be from July 1 of the year in
    17  which it is issued to June 30 of the following year.
    18  Section 694-A.  Effect of nonfiling.
    19     Employers shall not be required by any ordinance to withhold
    20  from the compensation of their employees any local earned income
    21  and net profits tax imposed under subdivision (c) which is not
    22  listed in the register or to make reports of compensation in
    23  connection with taxes not so listed. If the register is not
    24  available by August 15, the register of the previous year shall
    25  continue to be effective for an additional period of not more
    26  than one year.
    27  Section 695-A.  Effect of subdivision on liability of taxpayer.
    28     The provisions of this subdivision shall not be construed to
    29  affect the liability of any taxpayer for taxes lawfully imposed
    30  under subdivisions (b) and (c).
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     1     Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.




















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