A business can apply this credit to its Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) liability if:

• The business is within 100 feet of a public works project.
• Customer access to the business was substantially obstructed for at least 30 days to the extent that it wasn’t clear that the business was open to someone walking by.
• The business lost at least 10% of the business’s total net income and 10% of the business’s total sales/receipts in the tax year in which the business obstruction occurred.

Businesses approved for the Distressed Business Tax Credit are eligible for a credit of 20% of the business’s lost sales/receipt amount, up to $20,000, but no more than the after-tax loss in net income.

Unused Distressed Business Tax Credits may not be carried forward, and the credit is non-refundable.

Interested businesses must submit an application to the Department of Revenue and provide documentation proving eligibility.

Documentation should include:

• Photographs of the business obstruction.
• Evidence of the business’s proximity to the public works project.
• Lost net income and sales receipts.
• Duration of the business obstruction.

The application must be received on or before the due date of the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) return for the tax year in which the obstruction occurred.

Paper applications can be found below under Forms & instructions or apply using the Philadelphia Tax Center.

1. Log into your Philadelphia Tax Center account.
2. Under the “Summary” tab, find your BIRT account.
3. Select the “Apply for credit programs” link on this screen.
4. Pick a program you wish to apply to.
5. Make sure to read the brief instruction before hitting “Next” to access the full application.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. Check all the eligibility requirements before applying for credits.

The department will review your application and let you know if you have been approved.