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Philadelphia Council Eyes New Student Debt Tax Relief Program for City Residents

Official:Amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Finance, Taxes And Collections,” by adding three new definitions to Section 19-1501 and adding a new Section 19-1507, entitled “Student Debt Tax Credit,” all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Oh

Introduced: January 28, 2021

: Committee on Finance

education finance taxation

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2020–2023 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill proposes to create a 'Student Debt Tax Credit' program in Philadelphia. The credit would provide tax relief to residents who have paid off student loans or are making payments on them.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

A new definition of "Graduated Student" is added to Section 19-1501, which refers to a person who has graduated from a postsecondary education institution.
A new definition of "Low Income Non-Residents" is added to Section 19-1501, which refers to non-residents who are entitled to a tax refund or forgiveness under state low-income tax provisions.
A new definition of "Low Income Residents" is added to Section 19-1501, which refers to residents who are entitled to a tax refund or forgiveness under state low-income tax provisions.
A new Section 19-1507, entitled "Student Debt Tax Credit," is added to Title 19, which provides a tax credit for residents who have paid off student loans or are making payments on them.

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