Axios Philadelphia quotes the Economy League on BIRT’s impact on small businesses

Axios Philadelphia published a story on February 2, 2026 explaining how a major shift in the City’s Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) is expected to hit small businesses, gig workers, and self-employed Philadelphians. Written by Mike D’Onofrio, the piece reports that more than 50,000 businesses may be subject to BIRT for tax year 2025 for the first time in over a decade, following the end of a longstanding exemption on the first $100,000 in gross receipts.

The article also highlights what the change means on the ground: many businesses may be unaware they now need to file, the impact may fall disproportionately on smaller-scale and minority entrepreneurs, and the shift is already a top concern among local business groups. Economy League Executive Director Jeff Hornstein is quoted on the distributional impacts, and Axios notes the City is offering free tax preparation support for eligible businesses. The story underscores an immediate takeaway for new filers: BIRT returns for tax year 2025 are due April 15.

Read the article here.