Localmedium impact · 5/10substantive260209

Philadelphia Delivery Tax on Online Orders

Official:Amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," to add a new Chapter 19-4800, entitled "Retail Delivery Tax," to establish a tax on orders for the delivery in Philadelphia of retail consumer and other tangible goods, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsors: Council President Johnson, Councilmember Landau

Introduced: March 12, 2026

: Committee of the Whole

business taxation

Plain-Language Summary

This bill proposes a new tax on orders for delivery of retail goods in Philadelphia. The tax would apply to deliveries made directly to consumers within city limits.

What This Bill Does

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Establishes a new tax on orders for the delivery of retail consumer and other tangible goods in Philadelphia.
Imposes the tax on deliveries made directly to consumers within city limits.
Requires retailers to pay the tax on behalf of the consumer, and authorizes the City to collect the tax through existing mechanisms, such as the gross receipts tax.
Creates a new Chapter 19-4800 in Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Retail Delivery Tax", to regulate and administer the new tax.

Both Sides

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

The case for

This bill establishes a new tax that puts a small additional charge on online orders delivered to Philadelphia residents. This tax will be paid by the retailer, not the consumer, and will help the City collect revenue through its existing tax systems. The revenue generated will benefit all Philadelphians by supporting essential city services, infrastructure, and programs, with no direct tax burden on residents.

The case against

This bill imposes a new tax on Philadelphia residents who order goods for delivery, forcing them to pay more for online shopping. Retailers will bear the initial burden of paying this tax, but they may pass the cost along to consumers in the form of higher prices, ultimately hurting low-income and middle-class residents who rely on online shopping. By adding another tax to the city's existing tax structure, Bill 260209 sets a precedent for further municipal taxation, potentially stifling economic growth and innovation in Philadelphia's retail sector.

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