Commonwealth Court Finds FLB Client Exempt from Business Privilege Tax
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba shareholders Marie K. McConnell and Gretchen L. Petersen recently delivered a win to client Phoebe Services Inc., an affiliate of Phoebe Ministries, in a Business Privilege Tax exemption matter. The Commonwealth Court affirmed the finding of the Lehigh Court of Common Pleas that Phoebe Services, Inc. is exempt from business […]
Gretchen L. Petersen Named to 2021 “Forty Under 40” List
Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. congratulates Gretchen L. Petersen, a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation & Trial Practice, for being named to the 2021 “Forty under 40” list published by Lehigh Valley Business. This honor celebrates forty of the region’s most accomplished professionals under the age of forty. The recipients of the award are chosen […]
The Continually Evolving Business Privilege Tax
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that changed the face of business and expanded application of gross receipts taxes like the Business Privilege Tax (BPT). Prior to 2018, the Supreme Court had a simple and straightforward policy as to whether a state could tax business activity: if the taxpayer had no physical […]
In Business Privilege Tax Case, Court Confirms Phoebe Services Not Liable
In a case regarding business privilege tax, the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas found in favor of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba (FLB) client Phoebe Services, Inc. and established on appeal that Phoebe Services, Inc. is not liable to the City of Allentown (the City) for the tax. In late 2019, FLB Shareholder and Chair […]
Recent Trends in…Tax Assessment Appeals
Historically, tax assessment appeals initiated by taxing authorities were a relatively infrequent occurrence. Property owners would find their property reassessed only upon the occurrence of certain events: a county-wide reassessment, a significant modification to the property, such as an addition, or an appeal filed by the taxpayer seeking a reduction. Recently, these appeals have become […]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling May Limit Taxing Authorities’ Ability to Appeal Assessments
On July 5, 2017, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court called into question a school district’s ability to initiate tax assessment appeals.