​Telework Guidance

For purposes of this guidance, the department shall use the term “telework” to refer to any “teleworking,” “telecommuting,” or “remote work” arrangement where an employee performs the duties of their position from an approved worksite that differs from the location from which the employee would otherwise work. Employees working under such arrangements and the businesses they work for need to consider state tax obligations.

Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT)

Under existing tax law, domestic and foreign corporations are subject to CNIT for the privilege of doing business; carrying on activities; having capital or property employed or used in Pennsylvania; owning property in Pennsylvania; or having substantial nexus in Pennsylvania. A corporation is considered to have nexus in Pennsylvania for CNIT purposes when it has one or more employees conducting business activities on its behalf in Pennsylvania. Therefore, a non-filing out-of-state corporation which has a Pennsylvania resident working at home has nexus based solely on the activities of that employee, unless the activity is protected by P.L. 86-272., i.e. solicitation of sales of tangible personal property with orders approved and shipped from inventory outside Pennsylvania.

Sales Tax

A business has nexus with Pennsylvania sufficient to require it to collect sales tax if it maintains a place of business in the commonwealth. That includes, in part, engaging in any activity as a business within this commonwealth by any person, either directly or through a subsidiary, representative or an agent. A company which has a Pennsylvania resident working at home may have nexus based solely on the activities of that employee.

Personal Income Tax and Employer Withholding

Teleworking employees need to evaluate their current working situation and apply existing Pennsylvania tax laws.

A Pennsylvania resident who is required to telework full-time from home in Pennsylvania rather than the employer's location outside of the state should treat his compensation as Pennsylvania source income. Pennsylvania does not allow a taxpayer to claim a resident credit on Pennsylvania source income. Consequently, a Pennsylvania resident who is employed by an out-of-state employer but who is required to telework from his home in Pennsylvania cannot claim the Pennsylvania resident credit on his Pennsylvania tax return even if the state where his employer is located taxes his compensation.

An employer who is located outside of Pennsylvania and whose only connection to Pennsylvania is an employee who teleworks full-time from home in Pennsylvania is not required, but may, withhold on the employee's compensation.

A non-resident employee who is required to telework full-time from home in another state should treat his compensation as non-Pennsylvania source income even if his employer is located in Pennsylvania. In those situations, the employer is not required to withhold on the employee's compensation.