PA Adopts Wayfair Nexus Decision that Physical Presence is Not Needed for PA to Tax Out-of-State Corporations that Receive an Economic Benefit from Their PA Marketplace Presence
Physically Presence is Not Required
PA declares that corporations do not need to be physically present in Pennsylvania in order to have nexus for corporate tax purposes. Out-of-state corporations doing business in Pennsylvania must file tax reports if they are taking advantage of the Pennsylvania economic marketplace.
Wayfair Decision
As reported in our July 24, 2018 blog, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair would have a profound affect on the nexus standard. “Nexus” being the amount of contact a business would have in a state before being subject to that state’s taxes. Whereas the former standard that a business needed a physical presence in a state before the state could tax it, Wayfair replaced the physical presence test with an economic test.
Pennsylvania states that the decision in Wayfair v. South Dakota made certain that no physical presence standard exists to limit the ability of a state to impose a net income tax on an out-of-state taxpayer. The decision confirmed that out-of-state corporations are doing business in the Pennsylvania and/or carrying on activities in Pennsylvania to the extent they are taking advantage of the economic marketplace. Taxpayers taking advantage of the economic marketplace will be required to file tax reports if they meet the minimum nexus thresholds under the U.S. Constitution.
Economic Presence Test
Pennsylvania will require taxpayers with economic nexus to file corporate tax reports after 2019. Pennsylvania will presume taxpayers without a physical presence have to file a corporate net income tax report if they have $500,000 or more of direct or indirect gross receipts sourced to the state. The presumption is rebuttable.
The gross receipts must be from the:
- sale, rental, lease, or licensing of tangible personal property;
- sale of services; and/or,
- sale or licensing of intangibles, including franchise agreements.
amended law revised the definition of “transient accommodation” to limit it to the rental of a room, group of rooms, or other living or sleeping space for the lodging of occupants, including but not limited to residences or buildings used as residences, that is either:
- Obtained through a transient space marketplace; or
- Is a professionally managed unit.
The PA Department of Revenue recognizes that taxpayers with or without physical presence in the Commonwealth can still potentially claim exemption from the imposition of the Corporate Net Income Tax under the provisions of P.L. 86-272. Taxpayers claiming P.L. 86-272 (physical presence) protection should still file a tax report and complete the necessary schedules to claim the exemption. Corporation Tax Bulletin 2019-04, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, September 30, 2019.
Tax Planning Tip #1:
States will continue their efforts to tax out-of-state businesses rather than face the wrath of in-state business when taxes are increased. If you have not already consulted with your tax adviser to determine if you have nexus exposure, you need to do so.
Tax Planning Tip #2:
While reading this post, keep in mind that other states have already changed their nexus standard from physical presence to an economic benefit test, or are considering doing so, thus your activities outside of PA may be creating nexus in those states where you have activities. Refer to Tax Planning Tip #1.
If you would like to discuss your business or personal tax planning, tax preparation and other financial concerns with an experienced tax professional, we invite you to call 610-594-2601 today to make an appointment at our Exton PA CPA office to discuss your situation. You can also schedule a consultation at Click Here.
Copyright © 2019 Keystone Financial Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
BE SURE TO READ THE DISCLAIMER PAGE: Tax laws, IRS rules and regulations change frequently. Although we hope you’ll find this information helpful, this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as the rendering of tax, legal or investment advice. The publisher shall not assume liability for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
About F. Bryan Haarlander, EA, CTRS:
Bryan Haarlander is an IRS licensed Enrolled Agent and who owns and operates a specialized tax services firm serving clients in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, which includes the cities of Chester Springs, Coatesville, Collegeville, Devon, Downingtown, Exton, Frazer, King of Prussia, Paoli, Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Radnor, Reading, Wayne, West Chester in Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, as well as clients in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and throughout the continental USA.
A Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, Bryan is well-known for his IRS tax resolution expertise and his book How to Resolve Your IRS Tax Debt Problems.
