Tax Amnesty Program

Act 84 creates a new Tax Amnesty Program where all penalties, collection and lien fees and one-half the interest due will be waived for a delinquent taxpayer.   The Amnesty Program period begins April 21, 2017, and ends on June 19, 2017. 

To participate, taxpayers must file an online amnesty return, file all delinquent tax returns and make the required payment within the amnesty period.  However, unpaid taxes, penalties and interest that result from periods subsequent to December 31, 2015, are not eligible for the program.  If a taxpayer has unpaid taxes or unfiled returns for periods not eligible for amnesty that are due after December 31, 2015, those periods must be filed for the taxpayer’s participation in the 2017 Amnesty Program to be approved.  Please know that the program does not apply to taxes administered by another state or the Federal government/Internal Revenue Service. 

Some of the types of taxes owed that are eligible for the Amnesty Program include:

• Cigarette tax
• Employer withholding tax
• Gross receipts tax
• Hotel occupancy tax
• Inheritance and estate tax
• Malt beverage tax
• Personal income tax
• Realty transfer tax
• Sales and use tax

For each tax delinquent, a written notice will be sent where there is a valid address on the Department’s record.  The notice will contain important information for the recipient to participate in the Amnesty Program.  A taxpayer, who has delinquencies for multiple tax types, may receive more than one notice.                                                                                                                       

A taxpayer with unknown liabilities reported and paid during the amnesty period to the Department and who complies with all other requirements, is not liable for any taxes of the same type due prior to January 1, 2011.  A taxpayer shall not be owed a refund under this provision either. 

Any taxpayer who claims making a single payment would be a serious financial hardship will be allowed to make a payment of one-half of the amnesty total liability and pay the balance in two payments during the Amnesty Program.  Taxpayers who have entered into duly approved and executed payment plans with the Department are eligible to participate in the Amnesty Program.  However, there will be limitations to the relief from penalty and interest that remains on their payment plan balance.

Payments on interest and penalties made prior to April 21, 2017 are not eligible for amnesty and will not be refunded as a result of amnesty participation.  At the same time, there will be no extension for the filing of missing tax returns and reports eligible for the Amnesty Program. 

In the event an Amnesty Program is held in the future, a participating taxpayer in the 2017 program will be prohibited from participating in future programs.  At the conclusion of the amnesty period, a 5 percent non-participation penalty will be imposed on all eligible tax, penalty and interest unpaid during the amnesty period. 

For more information about the Tax Amnesty Program, please click here or visit the Department’s website at www.revenue.pa.gov and click on the Tax Amnesty Program link.   

Beechview Update

I am pleased to inform those constituents affected by the Broadway Avenue Track Renewal project that according to the Port Authority of Allegheny County the project is on schedule to be completed by Sept. 25.  Throughout this project I have worked and remained in touch with county and local officials and continue to be very enthusiastic about what these transportation improvements will mean for Beechview.  The Port Authority has done an outstanding job of getting this important work done on time, listening and reacting to the concerns of the community, and handling critical comments and rumors from a few residents in a professional manner.

The Port Authority provided continuous updates throughout this project and I am not aware of any other project like this in Allegheny County that was finished this quickly.  The Port Authority deserves a great deal of credit for its work and diligence.  For continued updates from the Port Authority, please click here or visit www.portauthority.org and click on Beechview construction project. 

In July I was pleased to announce a $600,000 state grant to redesign and revitalize part of Broadway Avenue, which you can read more about by clicking here.  On the heels of the track renewal project, the future streetscape work that will take place and the ongoing redevelopment in the business district, Beechview continues to rebuild.  I look forward to continuing to working with the growing number of positive-minded stakeholders, elected officials and residents on Beechview’s rebirth. 

12th Annual FontanaFest

We’re less than two weeks away from the 12th Annual FontanaFest, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Highmark Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Once again, parking will be free in the stadium’s West Lot, compliments of Forest City! 

The annual community event is perfect for families and children, promoting healthy and active lifestyles by providing many fun activities and crafts.  Children will have the chance to play on several inflatables, an obstacle course, and a climbing wall and visit with a face painter and balloon maker.  All attendees also are provided with the opportunity to engage with several organizations from around the region, participating in crafts and games, while also receiving important information on available services and programs, nutrition, health care, jobs and jobs training. 

I’m thrilled that once again this year, students from Pittsburgh Musical Theatre will join us to perform at 11:15 a.m.!  Also new to FontanaFest this year is a Roving Puppet Stage from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and three puppet shows scheduled for 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.  The Pittsburgh Firefighters are also participating in this year’s event for the first time to teach children and families about fire safety. 

I’m very pleased the following organizations will be joining us this year:  The Home Depot, Allegheny County Sheriff Bill Mullen’s office; Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Carnegie Science Center; Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh; Homeless Children’s Education Fund; Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater; WQED-TV; Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy; Calgon Carbon; Penn State Center Pittsburgh; Gateway Health Plan; Comcast; Duquesne Light; PA Parks and Forests Foundation; ALCOSAN; and Life’s Work of Western PA.

I hope to see everyone there!

Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic

I will be hosting my annual Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic on Friday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Quinn Hall at the Church of the Resurrection in Brookline.  American HealthCare Group will be providing free vaccinations to any senior with the Medicare Part B health insurance card.  Make sure to bring your card with you.

I am also pleased that several organizations from around the region will be present to provide seniors with important information on available services and resources.  Organizations scheduled to participate thus far include:  AARP; Allegheny County Bar Association; Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy; Office of the Consumer Advocate; Public Utility Commission; the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; Seton Center; OASIS; and the PA Captioned Telephone Relay Service.  I will continue to update you with additional information on this year’s Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic in the coming weeks.

Application Period for Neighborhood Assistance Program – DEADLINE FRIDAY!

In the August 30 edition of my News & Views I wrote extensively about the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), how it continues to help improve the lives of low-income people in distressed neighborhoods through the creation of an effective partnership between community-based organizations and the business and corporate community, and how important it is we strengthen this program.  Projects through NAP must fall under affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training or neighborhood assistance. The Charitable Food Program also falls under NAP which is designed to help regional food banks. With ongoing changes in the economic situation of so many of our neighborhoods over the last several years, tax credit programs like NAP have become a more attractive resource for organizations and businesses looking to offer and carry out community based improvement programs. 

Text Message Service to Help Voters Register

Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of State launched 2Vote, a new voter registration text messaging service.  Eligible Pennsylvania citizens can text the word “PA” to “2Vote” (28683) on their smartphones.  The user will receive a link that provides direct access to the online voter registration application, voter registration status, polling place locator, and link to contacts for county offices and the Department of State.  The Department is launching this service as part of its Everyone votesPA education initiative that was introduced in March.

The text message link also provides users with important dates and deadlines significant to the November 8 general election.  Standard messaging rates may apply.  To remind everyone, the voter registration deadline for the November general election is October 11.

ALCOSAN Open House

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is hosting its award-winning Open House this Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  This annual event is educational and entertaining with free admission, food and parking.  A free shuttle bus will bring visitors to the plant from the Port Authority’s Northside T station on West General Robinson Street near Tony Dorsett Drive.

ALCOSAN’s Open House is the region’s largest watershed and environmental festival, featuring hands-on environmental exhibits, treatment plant and laboratory tours, microbiology and watershed life demonstrations and educational activities for all ages.  Visitors will get a close-up view of a tank full of fish just pulled from the Ohio River, watch entertaining demonstrations by the Mad Scientist and take a walk through a simulated sewer pipe to see the challenges of keeping our waterways clean.  Everyone will have a chance to pose for a selfie with ALCOSAN’s colorful mascot, Frankie the Fish.

Students from K-12 can earn extra credit as they learn about our water and environment.  Young people looking toward careers in the skilled trades or STEM fields will be able to meet engineers, chemists, mechanics, laborers and others who have those jobs now. 

For more information and to pre-register, please visit www.alcosan.org.

RADical Days

RADical Days, the annual event sponsored by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), begins this Sunday, Sept. 18 and runs through October 9.  In its 15th year, RADical Days is an initiative of RAD and its funded assets that thanks the public for the sales tax funds that support our region’s parks, libraries, sports and civic facilities, and arts and culture organizations. 

Assets are not offering free admission every day.  You may visit the RADical Days page at www.radworkshere.org to view a full schedule and listing of participating venues.  You may also sign up on the site to receive RADical Days text alerts.  Admissions are first-come, first-served and don’t offer rain checks. 

Mobile Veterans Outreach Van

Anyone attending the Pittsburgh Riverhounds game tomorrow at Highmark Stadium will have the chance to stop by the Mobile Veterans Outreach Van to learn more about benefits available to state veterans and family members.  Beginning at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Riverhounds game vs. Cincinnati, accredited veterans services officers will be on hand to provide information and assistance to veterans and family members who may be eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The Mobile Veterans Outreach Van will be located just outside the main gate to Highmark Stadium.  Game tickets for military and veterans can be purchased at a discounted price of $5 at www.ticketmaster.com, using the code FIVE.  For more information, please visit www.riverhounds.com.    

Welcoming Week at Dormont Library

The Dormont Public Library is participating in the nationwide Welcoming Week again this year, Sept. 16 – 25.  Welcoming Week was created by the Welcoming America network to bring together immigrants and visitors from other countries and those born in the United States.  It encourages greater unity and acceptance of individuals from different backgrounds through programs which emphasize our similarities and the benefits of welcoming others to the United States, rather than focusing on our differences.

Dormont Library has several events scheduled during Welcoming Week including:  a Melting Pot Bake Sale; interactive class to strengthen English skills; basic Spanish; global film series; an International Covered Dish Dinner on Sept. 21; and much more.  For more information on Welcoming Week, the schedule of events, and how to register, please visit www.dormontlibrary.org.  You may also register by stopping in the Library, emailing dormontprogramming@einetwork.net, or calling 412-531-8754. 

Fontana Fact

In 2015 the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh hosted more than 2.8 million visits to their 19 locations and 3.79 million visits to their website while circulating more than 3.9 million materials throughout its system to patrons.

Brookline District 932 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 Phone: 412-344-2551 Fax: 412-344-3400 Weekdays – 9 am – 5 pm	Harrisburg 543 Main Capitol Box 203042 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: 717-787-5300 Fax: 717-772-5484 Weekdays – 8:30 am – 5 pm	Kennedy Township Kenmawr Plaza 524 Pine Hollow Road Kennedy Twp, PA 15136 Phone: 412-331-1208 Fax: 412-331-2079 Weekdays – 10 am – 4 pm
Beechview Satellite 1660 Broadway Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Phone: 412-343-2080 Fax: 412-343-2418 Tuesdays – 10 am – 4 pm Northside (Mobile Office) Carnegie Library Allegheny Branch 1230 Federal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Wednesdays – 10 am – 4 pm Lawrenceville (Mobile Office) Carnegie Library 279 Fisk Street Pittsburgh, PA 15201 Thursdays - 11 am - 4 pm