Harrisburg, PA — With the deadline for filing personal income tax returns falling on Wednesday, April 15th, the Shapiro Administration is encouraging Pennsylvanians to take advantage of new and expanded state tax credits championed by Governor Josh Shapiro. The Governor has made cutting taxes and lowering costs for Pennsylvanians a top priority — cutting taxes seven times since taking office and putting money back in the pockets of seniors, families, and businesses.
“Governor Shapiro has made it a priority to cut taxes and lower costs for Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. To take advantage of the tax relief the Governor has fought for, it’s important for Pennsylvanians to file their state tax returns this week prior to the April 15th filing deadline,” said Department of Revenue Secretary Pat Browne. “Our team at the Department of Revenue will be working longer hours this week to assist people prior to the filing deadline. Whether you’re looking for assistance online, over the phone, or in person, we’re here to help. We want to ensure that everyone filing their taxes gets every dollar they are eligible for.”
Tax Credits and Deductions Available
This tax season brings historic tax relief for working Pennsylvanians thanks to the efforts of Governor Shapiro.
- The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) – Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), anyone who qualifies for the federal EITC automatically qualifies for the state credit. The WPTC can put as much as $805 back in the pockets of eligible Pennsylvanians. Taxpayers filing by mail must include a copy of their federal Form 1040 with their PA-40 so the Department can verify credit eligibility.
- Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit – Available to ease child and dependent care costs for working families in Pennsylvania. Eligible Pennsylvanians can receive between $600 and $2,100, depending on their income level and number of dependents.
- Student Loan Interest Deduction – Student loan interest is now an allowable deduction, up to $2,500 per taxable year.
- Tax Forgiveness (Special Poverty) – Retired and low-income Pennsylvanians may reduce all or part of their Pennsylvania personal income tax liability.
Taxpayer Service and Assistance
Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue (DOR)'s Customer Experience Center (CEC). Typical hours for phone assistance are 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, however, there will be extended hours this week: Monday, April 13, through Wednesday, April 15, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Personal income tax assistance is also available through the Department's Online Customer Service Center. The Online Customer Service Center contains answers to hundreds of personal income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to DOR through a process that is as easy as sending an email.
For in-person assistance, taxpayers can visit the DOR’s district offices. District offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Taxpayers are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance and bring their Social Security cards and a valid photo ID.
Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by selecting the Where's My Income Tax Refund? link on DOR's homepage, or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.
myPATH is a Free Option for PA Tax Returns and Payments
Pennsylvanians can file their PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40) for free using myPATH — short for My Pennsylvania Tax Hub. The platform is accessible on computers, tablets, and mobile devices and includes automatic calculators to help reduce errors and provide instant confirmation once a return is successfully filed. myPATH is available for state tax filing only; taxpayers will need to find other options to file federal and local returns.
Taxpayers do not need to create a username or password in order to file a PA-40. To file, taxpayers need a Social Security number and either:
- Tax liability from a previous year, or
- Date of birth and Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID information.
Taxpayers can also file their PA-40 through myPATH in Spanish, and DOR offers a Spanish Language Resources page with additional resources.
April 15th Filing Deadline
All taxpayers who earned more than $33 in total gross taxable income in 2025 are required to file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Filing for an Extension
If additional time to file is needed, taxpayers still have the option to file a request for an extension to file their Pennsylvania personal income tax return. The extension is available for up to six months. As an important reminder, an extension of time to file does not extend the deadline to make a payment if you owe taxes to the Commonwealth, including applicable late-filing payment fees, interest and penalties.