Who gets a Philadelphia wage tax refund and when
You get a Philadelphia wage tax refund if you paid more tax to the city than you owed for the year. This happens most often when your employer withheld too much from your paychecks, or when you worked in Philadelphia for only part of the year but taxes were taken out as if you worked the full year. Philadelphia's wage tax rate is 3.8712% for residents and 3.4% for non-residents who work in the city.
The city does not automatically send refunds. You must file a return with the Philadelphia Department of Revenue to claim one. The filing deadline is typically April 15 each year, the same as federal taxes, though the city sometimes extends this date.
If you are owed a refund, the city processes it and sends payment by check or, if you filed electronically, by direct deposit. Processing times vary depending on how you file and whether the city needs to verify your information.
Key Takeaways
- You must file a Philadelphia wage tax return to receive a refund — the city will not send one automatically even if you overpaid.
- File using PHL Revenue Online, the city's free electronic filing system, to get your refund faster than by mailing a paper return.
- If you file electronically before the deadline, direct deposit refunds typically arrive within 4 to 6 weeks; paper checks take longer.
- Non-residents who worked in Philadelphia must also file a city return separate from their federal and state returns.
- You can check your refund status on the PHL Revenue Online portal using your Social Security number and filing information.
Filing your return through PHL Revenue Online
The fastest way to get your refund is to file electronically through PHL Revenue Online, the city's free filing system. You do not need to pay to use it. Go to phila.gov/revenue, create an account with your email and Social Security number, and log in.
You will need your W-2 forms from any employer in Philadelphia, your Social Security number, and your address. If you are married and filing jointly, you will also need your spouse's information. The system walks you through each question and calculates what you owe or what the city owes you.
Once you submit your return, you can choose direct deposit or a mailed check. Direct deposit is faster — the city sends refunds to your bank account within 4 to 6 weeks if there are no issues with your return. If you request a check, allow 6 to 8 weeks or longer.
Mailing a paper return if you cannot file online
If you cannot or do not want to file online, you can mail a paper return. Download Form PHL-1 (Individual Resident Wage Tax Return) or Form PHL-1NR (Non-Resident Wage Tax Return) from phila.gov/revenue. Fill it out by hand or type it, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form.
Include a copy of your W-2 and any other documents the form asks for. Mail your return early — paper returns take much longer to process. The city typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to process a mailed return, and longer if staff need to contact you for missing information.
Keep a copy of everything you mail and consider sending it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If the city loses your return, you will have evidence you sent it.
What to do if you are a non-resident who worked in Philadelphia
Non-residents must file a separate Philadelphia wage tax return even if they file federal and state returns. You owe Philadelphia tax on wages earned in the city only, at the non-resident rate of 3.4%.
Use Form PHL-1NR instead of Form PHL-1. The filing process is the same — you can file through PHL Revenue Online or mail a paper return. If your employer withheld Philadelphia tax from your paychecks, you may be owed a refund on the difference between what was withheld and what you actually owed.
Some non-residents do not realize they need to file a city return at all. If you worked in Philadelphia and had taxes taken out, file a return to recover any overpayment. The city does not reach out to tell you that you are owed money.
Tracking your refund status
If you filed through PHL Revenue Online, you can check your refund status by logging back into your account. The portal shows whether your return was received, whether it is being processed, and when your refund is expected.
If you mailed a paper return, you cannot check the status online. Call the Philadelphia Department of Revenue at 215-686-6600 during business hours. Have your Social Security number and the date you mailed your return ready. Staff can tell you whether the return arrived and what stage of processing it is in.
Refund status updates are not always immediate. If you filed recently, the city may not have processed your return yet. Wait at least two weeks after filing before calling to check.
What to do if your refund is late or missing
If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the Department of Revenue at 215-686-6600. Have your return information ready, including your filing date and the refund amount you expected.
Common reasons for delays include missing information on your return, a mismatch between your return and your W-2, or a hold placed on your account for unpaid taxes from a previous year. The city may need you to send additional documents or clarify information before releasing your refund.
If you filed by direct deposit and your bank account information was wrong, the refund may have been rejected and sent back to the city. The Department of Revenue will contact you if this happens, but you can also call to confirm your account details and request a reissue.
Refunds for prior years you did not file
If you worked in Philadelphia in a previous year but never filed a return, you can still file and claim a refund. There is no time limit on filing a Philadelphia wage tax return, though the city will only refund taxes withheld within the last three years.
File a return for each year you did not file, using the same process as above. Gather your W-2s from those years and file through PHL Revenue Online or by mail. The city will process each year separately and send refunds for each one.
If you are unsure whether you filed in a previous year, call the Department of Revenue and give them your Social Security number. They can tell you which years have returns on file and which years are missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my Philadelphia return before I get my W-2?
No. You need your W-2 to know how much Philadelphia tax was withheld. Employers must send W-2s by January 31. If your employer is late, contact them and ask for a copy. You can file your Philadelphia return as soon as you have your W-2, even if you have not filed your federal return yet.
What if I worked in Philadelphia for only part of the year?
You still file a Philadelphia return. Report only the wages you earned while working in the city. If your employer withheld Philadelphia tax for the full year even though you worked there for only a few months, you will likely be owed a refund. Your W-2 will show the total withheld.
Do I need to file if I did not owe any Philadelphia tax?
If you did not earn enough to owe tax, you do not have to file. However, if your employer withheld Philadelphia tax from your paychecks, you should file to get that money back. Filing takes a few minutes through PHL Revenue Online and costs nothing.
What if I moved out of Philadelphia during the year?
You owe Philadelphia tax only on wages earned while you lived in the city. Report those wages on your return. If you moved mid-year and your employer withheld tax for months after you left, you may be owed a refund. Include a note with your return explaining when you moved.
Can I file jointly with my spouse on my Philadelphia return?
Yes, if you are married and file jointly on your federal return, you can file jointly on your Philadelphia return as well. Both spouses must have Social Security numbers. If one spouse did not work in Philadelphia, they still appear on the joint return but report zero wages.