Welcome to the PA Business One-Stop Shop newsletter! Read on for the latest business updates and news from state government, business application deadlines, funding opportunities, and more.
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Below are some new features and updates from our office and around the Commonwealth so you don’t miss a beat.
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- Small Business Funding Guide
The PA Business One-Stop Shop partners with various organizations that provide funding for new or existing small businesses. To learn more about those partners as well as any programs they offer, please review our Find Small Business Funding help guide. -
New PAyback System
In November, the Commonwealth launched PAyback, a new online money-back guarantee system that allows residents, businesses, charities, and schools to check eligibility for a refund of their permit, license, or certification application fee and request a refund if they believe they are eligible. Using PAyback, Pennsylvania workers and businesses can see the standard processing time for each application, increasing certainty for Pennsylvanians doing business with the Commonwealth, and request a refund if their application is not processed within that timeframe.
- MyPATH – New Filing Option for Non-Profits
The PA Department of Revenue recently launched a new online filing option in myPATH available for non-profits, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, to apply for and renew a Pennsylvania sales tax exemption. The sales tax exemption allows institutions of purely public charity to avoid paying Pennsylvania's 6% sales tax on purchases made on behalf of the institution's charitable purpose.
Prior to the launch of the online application, non-profit organizations were required to submit a paper application form (called the REV-72).
The online sales tax exemption application is the latest customer service option to be added to myPATH to deliver a new, streamlined tool for its customers. The system is now the online destination where Pennsylvania taxpayers can manage many of their state tax obligations, whether it's filing tax returns, making payments, or managing their accounts. - Government Contracting
Governments set aside billions of taxpayer dollars to purchase goods and services required to conduct their day-to-day activities. Often these goods and services are purchased from private companies and/or contractors. From cleaning services in a single office to cloud computing services agency wide, there are contracts that fit all business sizes and industries. Additionally, every level of government (local, county, state, federal) is a significant purchaser of goods and services. This creates many opportunities for private companies and contractors who have the knowledge and capacity to find and bid on government contracts. If you are a new or existing business and would like information or assistance with becoming a government supplier, please visit our Becoming a Government Supplier webpage. Small diverse businesses can obtain assistance with self-certification and obtaining contracts through the PA Department of General Services’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunity.
- PA New Hire Reporting Program
If you are an employer in Pennsylvania, it is important to report basic information about all newly hired and rehired employees in a timely and accurate way through the Pennsylvania New Hire Reporting Program. Employees of all ages, those who work less than a full day, those still in a probationary period, part-time, seasonal, and employees who are rehired must be reported, even if the employee is employed for only a few hours before termination. Because this information is used to help maintain financial stability in Pennsylvania families and keep down the cost of welfare, unemployment, and worker’s compensation insurance, it is important to make certain the data being submitted is accurate. Employers can do so by:
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- Providing the employee’s name exactly as listed on their Social Security Number card;
- Entering double or hyphenated last names together in the last name field;
- Using a hyphen only if shown on the Social Security Number card;
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Including a middle name only if it is listed on the Social Security Number card;
- If there is no middle name, leaving the middle name field blank; and
- Double checking data for possible typos and transposed numbers before submitting the report.
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Federal Government Update |
Effective January 1, 2024, the federal government will require many corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to electronically report information regarding their beneficial owners to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Beneficial owners are the individuals who ultimately own or control the company.
The purpose of the reporting is to cut down on the use of the creation of shell companies to launder money or hide assets.
There is no fee, and the reports are only required to be filed once. Companies will only be required to report again if any of the beneficial ownership information changes.
Important things to note:
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Reporting companies created in or registered to do business in the U.S. before January 1, 2024, must file their report by January 1, 2025.
Reporting companies created in or registered to do business in the U.S. on or after January 1, 2024, must file their report within 90 days upon receipt from their Secretary of State approving their business.
Reporting companies created in or registered to do business in the U.S. on or after January 1, 2025, must file their report within 30 days upon receipt from their Secretary of State approving their business.
Any changes to beneficial owner information must be updated 30 days afterwards.
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Office of Small Business Advocate
Recognizing the importance of small businesses, which account for 99.6% of the state economy, the Pennsylvania General Assembly established the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) in 1988. As the only office of its kind in the nation, the OSBA represents the interests of small business consumers (businesses having 1-250 employees) in regulated utility matters before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. The OSBA also works closely with small businesses to assist with concerns they may experience (e.g., questions, complaints, unusual costs, disconnections, etc.) with telecommunications, water or wastewater, gas, and electric services. The dedicated staff of the OSBA, led by NazAarah Sabre, is committed to helping small businesses resolve concerns while ensuring they have quality, affordable, safe, and clean utility service. To contact OSBA, email osba@pa.gov or call 717.783.2525.
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On November 2, 2023, PA-06 Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan hosted the “Unlocking Opportunities: Navigating Federal and State Contracts for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs” in Kennett Square, PA. PA Business One-Stop Shop Director, Terrell Martin, presented alongside representatives from the Small Business Administration. Joining Terrell were Francine Francisco (Economic Development Analyst) and Donald Poligone (Economic Development Consultant), who participated in the audience Q&A portion.
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Jan. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
Feb. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 and 28
Mar. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Apr. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 and 26
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| Employer Withholding SEMI-WEEKLY Payment Remittance
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Jan. 4 and 18
Feb. 5 and 21
Mar. 5 and 20
Apr. 3
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| Employer Withholding SEMI-MONTHLY Payment Remittance
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Jan. 31
Feb. 15
Mar. 15
Apr. 15
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| Employer Withholding MONTHLY Payment Remittance
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| Employer Withholding QUARTERLY Payment Remittance
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| Employer Withholding QUARTERLY Withholding Return
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| Employer Withholding ANNUAL Reconciliation
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Jan. 22
Feb. 20
Mar. 20
Apr. 22
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| Sales Tax MONTHLY Return and Payment
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| Sales Tax QUARTERLY Return and Payment
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| Sales Tax SEMI-ANNUAL Return and Payment
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| Unemployment Compensation QUARTERLY Return and Payment
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400 North Street 4th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17120 US
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