Every spring, while most of us are focused on taxes or getting ready for summer, something far more consequential is happening: elected officials in City Hall and Harrisburg are deciding how your tax dollars will be spent.
But what they are really deciding is whether your business—your livelihood—will have the support it needs to grow, or if it will be held back by policies that make it harder to survive.
This year, two major issues are on the table that demand the attention of every business owner in our community — the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and SEPTA’s funding crisis.
Let’s start with BIRT, an unusual tax assessed on both, the gross revenue and net profits of your business. Philadelphia is the only city in the country that imposes this double tax.
Today, many small businesses are exempt from the gross receipts portion of BIRT—up to $100,000, but, due to a court case, the city is likely to eliminate that exemption. If that happens, thousands of businesses that currently pay no BIRT at all will suddenly be taxed. Many of them will be Latino-owned businesses—microenterprises operating on razor-thin margins, already doing everything they can to stay afloat.
Unfortunately, this is scheduled to happen while businesses are still navigating economic uncertainty, labor shortages, inflation and the specter of tariffs. If anything, this is the time to double down on supporting small businesses, not burdening them.
At the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we believe Philadelphia needs smarter tax policy that fuels—not frustrates—entrepreneurial growth. That’s why, as part of the Tax Reform Commission, we are advocating, among other things, for accelerated reductions in BIRT to ease the burden on job creators, and a shift to quarterly BIRT payments. This would give businesses better control of their cash flow and help them plan more effectively throughout the year.
This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about protecting the engine of our economy.
Small businesses are more than storefronts. They’re job creators, wealth builders, and pillars of our neighborhoods. In the Hispanic community, they represent economic independence, family legacy, and pride. They are how we create generational wealth and opportunity—often in the face of systemic barriers.
Now, let’s talk about SEPTA.
The region’s transit system is facing a major fiscal crisis, with a projected shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars. Without immediate action from the city and the state, SEPTA may be forced to raise fares, cut service, and lay off workers.
For many of us, public transportation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our employees, customers, and families rely on SEPTA to move through the city. A weakened system means less access to jobs, less foot traffic for local businesses, and more obstacles for everyday life.
These two issues—business taxes and public transit—are deeply connected to our economic future. And they are being debated right now. That’s why I urge every business owner to act.
Call your City Councilmember. Let them know how important it is to ease the burden BIRT creates for small businesses by moving to quarterly payments and deeper BIRT reductions. Call your State Representative. Remind them how important it is to keep a reliable, well-funded SEPTA to stay viable.
And don’t stop there—show up. City Council is holding public budget hearings in every district. Make your voice heard. Speak about how these issues affect you, your business, your customers, and your community.
Philadelphia’s Latino business community has built something powerful. Let’s be seen. Let’s be heard. Let’s lead.
- Mural Arts makes it easy to understand the budget here: The People’s Budget Office Invitaitve
- Find details about the budget and the schedule of townhall meetings in your district here:
FY2025 Budget Center – Philadelphia City Council - Learn from the Committe of 70 how Philadelphia government works: How Philly Works
Jennifer Rodríguez, MCP, is the President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
