Business tax phaseout plan draws ire of Philly social service groups

Community groups are upset about a measure that would pare back business taxes in Philadelphia. 

The bill under consideration by City Council includes revisions designed to make Philadelphia more business friendly and more competitive with neighboring areas.

The tax changes could entice new businesses to establish in town and help retain the ones already here, said Karen Facer Mee, a certified public accountant.

“We have some clients who have moved their businesses to Ohio, and they have experienced reduced tax rates,” she said. “I can’t say anything, I’m the independent account working for the company and I have to tell them, ‘Your taxes are  lower [in] Ohio.'”

In just five days, Stan Shapiro of the group Neighborhood Networks has gathered more than 200 signatures on a petition against the proposal.

“This bill suggests that this council knows the condition of the city in 10 to 40 years from now can take guaranteed annual tax cuts of $15 million cumulatively without replacement of the revenue,” Shapiro said.

A study on the impact of the proposed tax cuts will be done before the bill gets a final vote.