3.07% flat state tax + local earned income tax up to 3.79%

Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator 2026

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax plus one of the most complex local tax systems in the country — over 2,500 municipalities and school districts levy their own Earned Income Tax (EIT).

State income tax
3.07% (flat)
Max local tax
3.79% (Philadelphia)
FICA (employee)
7.65%
Standard deduction
$14,600
$
Annual take-home pay
Per paycheck
Total taxes
Effective rate
take-home
$
As a 1099 freelancer, you owe 15.3% self-employment tax (both halves of FICA) on top of all income taxes.
Quarterly estimated payments due: Apr 15 · Jun 16 · Sep 15 · Jan 15

Pennsylvania tax breakdown — what you need to know

Key facts about Pennsylvania state, local, and federal taxes for 2026.

01

Earned Income Tax (EIT)

Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy a combined Earned Income Tax. Rates range from 0.5% in rural boroughs to 3.79% in Philadelphia. You pay based on where you LIVE, not where you work — unless your employer withholds at a higher rate.

02

Local Services Tax (LST)

Most PA municipalities also charge a $52/year Local Services Tax (LST), withheld $1/week from paychecks. Employees earning under $12,000/year are exempt. This flat tax is not included in percentage-based calculations above.

03

School district component

The EIT rate you see is typically a combined rate: municipality + school district. For example, Pittsburgh's 3% is split between the city (2%) and the Pittsburgh School District (1%). Both are withheld from your paycheck.

04

Reciprocity with 6 states

PA has reciprocity with Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you live in one of those states and work in PA, you pay income tax to your home state, not PA — but PA local EIT still applies.

Major PA municipality EIT rates

Source: state revenue departments and municipal ordinances. Rates effective 2026.

MunicipalityResident rateNon-resident rate
Philadelphia3.79%3.50%
Pittsburgh3.00%1.00%
Reading3.60%1.30%
Scranton3.40%2.00%
Allentown2.25%1.25%
Erie1.80%1.25%
Wilkes-Barre3.00%1.00%
Harrisburg2.00%1.25%
Lancaster2.00%1.25%
Most suburbs1.00%0.50%

Frequently asked questions — Pennsylvania taxes

Your employer withholds the local EIT based on your municipality of residence. The rate is a combined municipality + school district rate. If you move mid-year, you file returns with each municipality for the portion of the year you lived there.
Yes. Pennsylvania local EIT is based on where you live, not where your employer is located. Remote workers owe EIT to their municipality of residence, regardless of where their employer operates.
The Earned Income Tax (EIT) is a percentage of your wages (0.5%–3.79%). The Local Services Tax (LST) is a flat $52/year fee ($1/week) charged by most municipalities separately. Both may appear on your pay stub.