Tax Consulting — Philadelphia Tax Attorney
Tax Consulting for Philadelphia Individuals and Businesses
Philadelphia taxpayers deal with three layers of tax law at once: federal rules administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Pennsylvania state taxes, and the City of Philadelphia’s own tax system — one of the most extensive municipal tax regimes in the country. A Philadelphia tax attorney can help individuals and businesses plan across all three layers, so decisions about work, investments, and business structure are made with the full tax picture in view. Premier Legal Solutions, LLC serves clients throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding counties — Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester — from its office in Southampton, Bucks County.
A tax consultation is simply a working session with an attorney about your situation before a problem exists: a new job or business, a transaction you’re weighing, a move into or out of the city, or a question you’d rather resolve now than explain to an auditor later. Communications with a tax attorney for the purpose of obtaining legal advice are generally protected by attorney-client privilege — a protection most other tax advisors cannot offer.
Philadelphia’s City Taxes Change the Math
Tax planning that works elsewhere in Pennsylvania can miss the mark in Philadelphia, because the city — through the Philadelphia Department of Revenue — imposes taxes most municipalities don’t:
Wage Tax
Philadelphia taxes the wages of city residents (wherever they work) and of non-residents who work in the city, at one of the highest municipal wage tax rates in the country. Where you live and where you work both matter — including how remote and hybrid work arrangements are treated.
Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT)
Businesses operating in Philadelphia are generally subject to BIRT, which is unusual in taxing both gross receipts and net income. Whether your activity crosses the line into “doing business” in the city is itself a planning question.
Net Profits Tax (NPT)
Residents, and businesses operating in the city, may owe NPT on the net profits of unincorporated businesses — layered on top of, and coordinated with, BIRT.
Other City Taxes
Depending on your situation, the School Income Tax on certain investment income of residents, the Use & Occupancy Tax on business premises, and city realty transfer taxes may also apply.
Entity choice, compensation structure, and even office location decisions look different once these are in the picture. A tax attorney can model the alternatives before you commit.
What a Tax Consultation Can Cover
A consultation is shaped by your situation, but common topics for Philadelphia clients include choosing and structuring a business entity — including entities formed under Pennsylvania law and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State — and understanding the city tax consequences of operating in Philadelphia versus the suburbs; individual planning around wage tax, residency, and remote work; estate planning that accounts for Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax, which applies regardless of estate size; transaction planning for buying or selling a business or real estate in the city; and compliance reviews to catch missed registrations or filings — a common issue for businesses that grew into Philadelphia without realizing they had triggered city tax obligations. Small business owners can also find general startup and tax resources through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For a broader look at planning topics that apply statewide — from S elections to international reporting — see our Pennsylvania tax consulting page. And if you are already facing an examination rather than planning ahead, our IRS audit defense and appeals page explains how representation works.
How a Philadelphia Tax Lawyer Can Help
Tax outcomes depend on facts, and no attorney can promise a particular result. What a Philadelphia tax lawyer can do is analyze your situation under federal, Pennsylvania, and City of Philadelphia law together, rather than in silos; lay out your options honestly with their trade-offs, including when the simplest structure is the right one; implement decisions correctly and on time; and coordinate with your accountant or financial advisor so nothing falls between the layers.
Schedule a Tax Consultation in the Philadelphia Area
Whether you are starting a business in the city, untangling wage tax questions, planning a transaction, or simply want confidence that your federal, state, and city obligations are covered, the attorneys at Premier Legal Solutions, LLC are available to help. Call (267) 245-0649 or email info@1lawyer.com to schedule a consultation.
Attorney Advertising. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each matter, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Tax rates and program terms change; consult current guidance or counsel for figures applicable to your situation.