Generally, professional services are not taxable in Pennsylvania. However, editing services are taxable. Editing is defined by the state as “services performed upon written material, film, videos and audio tape, including altering, adapting, refining, proofreading or confirming.
Some customers are exempt from paying sales tax under Pennsylvania law. Examples include government agencies, some nonprofit organizations, and merchants purchasing goods for resale. Sellers are required to collect a valid exemption or resale certificate from buyers to validate each exempt transaction.
Major items exempt from the tax include food (not ready-to-eat); candy and gum; most clothing; textbooks; computer services; pharmaceutical drugs; sales for resale; and residential heating fuels such as oil, electricity, gas, coal and firewood.
The total amount charged for performing building maintenance services or building cleaning services is subject to tax.
Pennsylvania sales tax does not apply to construction activities that are made under contract and involve the permanent attachment of tangible personal property to realty.