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The Department of Revenue originated in 1927 but began operating after the passage
of the Fiscal Code of 1929, at which time it assumed tax-collection duties previously
carried out by the Auditor General, the Treasury Department, and other State
agencies. The Highway Department's Bureau of Motor Vehicles and State Highway
Patrol was transferred to Revenue that same year. In 1937 the Highway Patrol
was removed from the Department and merged with the State Police to form the
Pennsylvania Motor Police. The shift of responsibility in this area was completed
when legislation passed in 1970 assigned the powers and duties involving traffic
safety programs and the registration and licensing of motor vehicles and operators
to the Department of Transportation. The Department of Revenue's mission is
to administer the tax laws of the commonwealth in a fair and equitable manner,
and it also administers the Pennsylvania State Lottery, which generates funds
for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians.
The department is responsible for collecting Personal Income Tax, Sales and
Use Tax, all corporate taxes, Inheritance Tax, Realty Transfer Tax, Motor Fuel
Taxes and all other state taxes. In addition, the department collects the Local
Sales Tax for Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, the Public Transportation
Assistance Tax and funds for the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation
Authority. The department also administers the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
and the Public Utility Realty Tax reimbursement, prepares the tax expenditure
portion of the Governor’s Budget and licenses distributors and manufacturers
of small games of chance.
Last processing update: 09/23/2011, acc. #3846
| PA State Archives | Hours, Directions, & Fees | Research Topics | Finding Aids for Collections | Land Records |