Six easy ways to access your Philadelphia Tax Center account

We've simplified the verification process for accessing your accounts on the Philadelphia Tax Center or giving access to a third party. Now you can manage your accounts and file taxes online without waiting for a letter from us. You just need key account information, like payment records, to get instant access. Here are six ways to verify your identity faster:

1. Account ID: Use the unique number associated with your tax account for immediate access. Each Philadelphia tax account, like Liquor Tax or Wage Tax, has its own unique ID number.
2. Return Line Item: Be ready to share the amount you reported on a previously filed return in the past year.
3. Confirmation Number: This is the number you see after making a submission through the Philadelphia Tax Center. Don't use the confirmation code, also displayed on a confirmation page. Confirmation numbers generated by the Philadelphia Tax Center are usually 10 digits, all numbers. Confirmation codes, on the other hand, are six digits long and contain letters and numbers. Here's a sample confirmation page showing the confirmation number and code:

4. Payment Amount: Enter the exact amount you paid for a period (it can be a month, a quarter, or a year).
5. MeF Submission ID: MeF submission IDs are different from the confirmation number or code you get after submitting a payment or tax return on the Tax Center. They are generated when you file a Philadelphia tax return through an approved Modernized eFiling (MeF) vendor.
6. Letter ID: Any letter or notice you get from the Department of Revenue has a 10-digit Letter ID. Enter the Letter ID to access your account instantly.

Choose one of the six methods to verify yourself and gain or give access right away. You don't have to wait five to ten business days anymore.

If you already have a username and password and need "third-party access," Follow these steps:

• Log in to your Philadelphia Tax Center profile at tax-services.phila.gov.
• Select "More options".
• Pick "Request access to an existing tax account" in the "Third party access" panel.
• Choose "Yes" or "No" when asked if you are a third-party tax professional.
• The system will prompt you to choose an account type and enter the ID number that matches that account before selecting a verification method. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

If you have a Philadelphia tax account, but want to access it online, follow these steps:

• Visit tax-services.phila.gov.
• Select "Create a username and password" in the "Existing taxpayers" panel.
• Review the instructions and select "Next".
• The "Profile" panel is where you create your username and password.
• Depending on your situation, answer "Yes" or "No" in the "Identification" panel.
• Select "Add access to account" in the "Account Validation" panel.
• Next, pick your preferred "Account Type", "Access Level" and "Verification Method". Pick any of the six verification methods above to get instant access. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

The original Request Access Letter process is still an option for accessing your account online. With this verification method, you request that we mail you a letter with an access code before you can complete the process. You can also use the Access Letter method if you are unable to verify yourself using any of the six new methods.

Remember, only you and the people you authorize can access your tax information. This step-by-step guide walks you through the process.

No verification required to pay your bill online

You don't need to go through any form of verification to make a payment on the Philadelphia Tax Center. Pay your bills as a guest from the homepage, without a username and password. Don't forget to apply your payment to the right period. If you're not sure about the period, choose the "account" option.