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LOCAL BUSINESS TAX · YORK ADAMS TAX BUREAU

Mercantile tax.
Business license basics.

Running a business can bring local tax and licensing requirements in addition to your federal and Pennsylvania returns. Start by identifying the municipality where your business operates.

YATB business forms & instructions ↗

Information checked October 4, 2026. Requirements depend on the local ordinance and business activity.

UNDERSTAND THE TERMS

A tax and a license
are related, but different.

Mercantile tax

A local gross-receipts tax associated with wholesale, retail, and restaurant activity in jurisdictions that impose it.

Business privilege tax

A local tax on doing business, generally measured by gross receipts. The municipality’s rules determine which activities and receipts are covered.

Business license

A local licensing requirement or fee may accompany the tax filing. Some YATB jurisdictions list no license fee; check your municipality.

YATB calls the combined category Mercantile & Business Privilege (MBP). It concerns business gross receipts, rather than simply net profit. This local obligation is separate from Pennsylvania sales tax, employee withholding, and forming an LLC.

Check your location first.

Not every municipality imposes the same tax. Rates, retail/wholesale classifications, license fees, exclusions, and receipt allocation must be checked for your business.

YATB’s instructions cover Conewago Township in York County, Dover Township, Hanover Borough, North York Borough, Spring Garden Township, Springettsbury Township, West Manchester Township, West York Borough, City of York, and York Township.

Most listed annual deadlines are April 15; Spring Garden Township is listed as May 15. Confirm your specific tax year and jurisdiction before filing.

Open YATB’s current forms and instructions ↗

FILING & LICENSE REMINDERS

Plan before the deadline.

  1. New business? YATB instructs new businesses to file within 40 days of starting. Contact YATB if no receipts arise during that period.
  2. Federal extension? It does not extend MBP filing. YATB requires an estimated filing/payment and extension documentation, followed by an amended return when the federal/state records are complete.
  3. Supporting records: Include the applicable federal or PA schedules verifying gross receipts.
  4. License required? YATB issues it after a complete filing. Post it at the business; separate locations require separate licenses where applicable.

Online or paper filing

YATB offers online MBP filing through PALite. Follow YATB’s account-registration instructions. Paper filers submit the return, supporting records, and payment using the current instructions.

YATB Employer Services: 717-845-1584, option 2, or employer@yatb.com.

LET’S CHECK YOUR REQUIREMENTS

Bring the notice.
We’ll help sort it out.

Ask ASY to review your local business tax and license requirements. Bring your business address, start date, gross-receipts records, prior local returns, and any YATB notices.

Send records through SmartVault or bring them to the office.

Schedule a consultation ↗

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