New Philly soda tax means more paperwork for merchants

Philadelphia’s soda tax becomes effective on January first. 

First Deputy Revenue Commissioner Marisa Waxman says there are two ways to pay the beverage tax. “They need to either be purchasing from a registered distributer or set up to pay the tax themselves and to let them know that we’ve made information available at www.Phillybevtax.com,” she said. Waxman says retailers need to keep their bills to show their compliance, since there won’t be a tax stamp or sticker on the beverages.

“Even if you are compliant,” she said, “make sure you are hanging on to all your invoices and records so if we show up at your establishment you can show us yep I am doing what I need to be doing.” The city is hiring extra workers to enforce the tax collection.