It’s Tax Day, folks. And as usual, Pennsylvanians are doing more than our fair share.
Pennsylvania has the fifth-highest overall tax burden in the country, and it ranks eighth in federal taxes paid.
So far this fiscal year, Americans have paid more than $1.1 trillion in personal income taxes, just over half of the federal government’s total revenue.
The Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank, also came up with bleak numbers for taxpayers.
“Tax Day 2025 looks quite gloomy for Pennsylvanians. A proposed $4.8 billion budget deficit looms as the state’s budget negotiations ramp up in the Capitol. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania taxpayers, this budget deficit has a cost—a $1,900 tax hike per family of four,” said policy analyst Andrew Holman.
“Despite widespread calls to boost Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness, little has been done to move the needle. Pennsylvania remains one of the most oppressive states for taxpayers, ranking 28th in state-local tax burden. This, combined with excessive spending, a growing deficit, and heavy regulation (Pennsylvania is the 14th most regulated state in the nation), has put chains over Pennsylvania’s ability to reach its potential as an economic powerhouse.
“Pennsylvania’s tax environment continues to repel workers and businesses alike. Population loss remains a plight for the Keystone State, given net out-migration in 14 of the past 15 years and projections of the state’s working-age population declining 2.1 percent over the next five years.
“It is hard to fault those leaving given the commonwealth’s abysmal economic conditions. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks 34th nationally for tax competitiveness, a three-spot drop since last year’s ranking,” Holman said.
Plenty of people in the Delaware Valley agree that Keystone State taxpayers are getting hit too hard.
“We’ve done our taxes, which are definitely too high,” said Chester County resident Felice Fein. “The Colonists fought a revolution against an authoritarian power over a 2 percent tax. Most taxpayers are well into the double-digit tax range at this point. I believe the voters engaged in a peaceful revolution in electing Trump in 2024 and are hoping for changes in the U.S. tax structure.”
State Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh/Bucks) says Pennsylvania has turned into “a salad bar of taxes.”
“But unlike selecting your favorite dressing, your plate is smothered in a variety of taxes. It’s not just one tax that impacts Pennsylvanians. We’re nickel and dimed. There’s real estate transfer, inheritance, property taxes, and occupational privilege taxes, and then you get into all of the fees that get stacked on for permits and occupational licensing. Let us not forget the gas tax. But the sad truth is that until lawmakers get serious about cutting taxes, we won’t see substantial change.”
His fellow Delaware Valley Republican, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), says the state’s fifth-place tax burden should be “a wake-up call to all Pennsylvania public officials to do better.” She says the real problem is politicians spending too much.
“Despite facing a $3 billion budget deficit, Democrats in Harrisburg want to raise taxes again instead of cutting wasteful spending. The commonwealth’s tax and spend policies drive people and small businesses out of our state and discourage companies from locating here.”
Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Harleysville) has a similar view. “Taxes in Pennsylvania will go even higher if Shapiro keeps spending billions from the rainy-day reserves without generating new revenue to replace it. Legalizing marijuana throughout our state isn’t going to cut it, and I won’t vote for it.”
Not everyone is complaining about Pennsylvania’s taxes, however.
Montgomery County resident Roberta Lee and her husband have filed their returns, and she says it was “very reasonable.”
“It seems like it’s a modest amount to pay for all the state tries to do.”
Don’t tell that to Delaware County resident John DeMasi.
“I pay self-employment taxes. I also pay property taxes to the county, township, and school. I pay 6 percent tax on almost everything I buy. I paid a boatload in tolls. I paid hotel and lodging taxes. I pay taxes and fees on airline tickets. I pay taxes on my telecommunications. I pay the liquid fuel tax whenever I fill up my car… the list goes on.
“And now, Upper Darby wants to charge me an extra 1 percent just because they can. I’m sure their 1 percent will be the tax that funds our utopia that all those other taxes failed to do.”
Whether you think they are too high, too low, or just right, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity is reminding Keystone Staters they can still file their state and federal taxes for free through Direct File.
