Business Privilege Tax and Licensing Information

IMPORTANT: Payment of the Business Privilege Tax and License Fee is due on April 30th of each year. Failure to file a return and/or pay the required tax amount due and/or license fee of $35.00 could result in fines up to $600.00 per offense, recoverable with costs.

All businesses are required to file and pay tax on their gross receipts annually on a calendar year basis by filing a Business Privilege Tax Return. Receipts are taxed at two different rates based on the following:

A. Receipts from selling goods, wares, and merchandise to dealers for resale should use the wholesale rate of one mil (.001) of Gross Receipts ($1.00 per $1,000 of Gross Receipts).

B. Receipts from retail businesses and/or businesses providing services, anyone receiving commissions, self-employed, statuary employees should use the retail rate of one and one-half mils (.00150) of Gross Receipts ($1.50 per $1,000 of Gross Receipts).

C. Rental Income within South Whitehall Township is subject to the Business Privilege Tax, at a rate of one and one-half mils (.00150) of Gross Receipts ($1.50 per $1,000 of Gross Receipts).

Business Privilege Tax Forms 

Directions on how to complete the Business Privilege Tax Return can be found below and in the Instruction Section of the Return. 

• To download the Business Privilege Application, click HERE.

• To download the 2025 Business Privilege Tax Return, click HERE.

• To download Business Privilege Tax Forms from previous years, see the "Documents" section on this page.

Business Privilege Tax Instructions

Please follow the instructions below:

1. If your business is located in South Whitehall Township, include a copy (first page only) of the appropriate Federal Income Tax Schedule for that year which indicates gross volume of business. The South Whitehall Township Business Privilege Tax is calculated on the actual gross receipts for the period from January 1, of that year through December 31, of the same year.

Federal Income Tax Forms:

• Individual, aka Sole-proprietorship – Form 1040 – Schedule C
• Partnership – Form 1065 – Schedule K-1 to each partner
• Corporation, aka Regular Corporation or “C” Corp. Form 1120
• Subchapter S Corporation Form 1120S – Shareholders each get Schedule K-1
• Single-Member Limited Liability Co. Form 1040 – Schedule C
• Limited Liability Co. with more than one member Form 1120 or Form 1065 – Schedule K-1
• Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership Form 1065
• Rental real estate owned by an individual Form 1040 – Schedule E
• Rental real estate owned by a Corporation Form 8825

2. Multiply gross receipts, shown on your Federal Income Tax Schedule, times (x) the appropriate tax rate. Retail businesses and/or businesses providing a service, anyone receiving commissions and persons receiving rental income from properties located in the Township, should calculate tax based on 1-1/2 mils or .00150. Persons who sell goods, wares and merchandise to dealers for resale should use the wholesale rate of one mil or .00100.

3. If your final return for a tax year is filed after the due date of April 30th, you are required to include a penalty of 5 percent (5 %) times (x) the tax amount due. In additional to the penalty, interest of one and a half percent (1.5%) per each additional month times (x) the tax amount will accrue until fully paid.

Example for calculating interest: one and a half percent (1.5%) if paid after April 30th of that year and on or before May 31st of that year; three percent (3%) if paid on or before June 30th of that year; 4 and a half percent (4.5%) if paid on or before of July 31st of that year and so on.

4. Remember to add your Business Privilege License Renewal Fee of $35.00 for the year.

5. Checks should be made payable to “South Whitehall Township”.

6. Make address corrections/changes, if applicable, on the tax return along with your zip and four-digit code. Keep the “Worksheet – Taxpayer Copy” of the form for your records and detach the bottom portion marked “Final Return – Township Copy” for mailing, along with your check to:

SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP

4444 WALBERT AVENUE

ALLENTOWN PA 18104-1699

Payment may also be made at the South Whitehall Township Municipal Building between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.

Should you have any additional questions that are not answered on the Return, please contact the Business Privilege Coordinator at 610-398-0401 (Ext 216) or e-mail us at bplicense@southwhitehall.com

Persons Filing for an Extension

Those persons who file an extension with the Internal Revenue Service must remit a copy of the appropriate form, #7004 for corporations, and #4868 for individuals by April 30th. The extension does not provide for exoneration of penalty and interest until paid. You may file an estimated return by April 30th; then file an amended return when actual gross receipts are determined.

Note: If your final return for a tax year is filed after the due date of April 30th, you are required to include a penalty of 5 percent (5 %) times (x) the tax amount due. In additional to the penalty, interest of one and a half percent (1.5%) per each additional month times (x) the tax amount will accrue until fully paid.

Example for calculating interest: one and a half percent (1.5%) if paid after April 30th of that year and on or before May 31st of that year; three percent (3%) if paid on or before June 30th of that year; 4 and a half percent (4.5%) if paid on or before of July 31st of that year and so on.

Additional Questions?

Should you have any additional questions about Business Privilege Tax, please contact the Business Privilege Coordinator at 610-398-0401 (Ext 216) or e-mail us at bplicense@southwhitehall.com