REALTORS® say ‘no’ to state tax on services

Pennsylvania REALTORS® will take to the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday to tell state lawmakers they oppose Gov. Ed Rendell’s 2010-11 budget proposal to tax professional services, including REALTOR® commissions.

PAR President Don Roth will speak at a press conference at 1 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. The results of a statewide survey will be revealed that show that an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians oppose the proposed tax on professional services involved in the home-buying and –selling process.

The governor’s proposed budget would reduce the state sales tax to four percent but expand it to include REALTOR® fees and 73 other currently exempted items. If enacted, Pennsylvania consumers would have to spend thousands of dollars more to purchase a home since a four-percent tax would also be levied on: appraisal, attorney, title and real estate agent fees, credit reports, mortgage originations, home inspections, surveys, title searches, construction, and architecture and site preparation fees.

REALTORS® are encouraged to attend the press conference to show their opposition to the proposed tax on professional services.