Efforts to again pass an earned income tax is (EIT) on an Upper Darby council committee meeting agenda. The 1% tax on most residents’ income has been fought over through the past two administrations. In May, council members tabled the most recent vote on the tax after residents — who in the past successfully sued to block the tax — complained about the wording in the ordinance. Council will again attempt to pass the EIT, which imposes the tax on residents and nonresidents who aren’t subject to a similar tax in other municipalities. Military income and residents earning less than $12,000 a year would be exempt. In an attempt to avoid another court challenge, the ordinance attempts to use language that can be clearly understood. “The words, phrases and provisions of this ordinance are not to be interpreted in a way that results in an absurd construction of the meaning,” the ordinance states. The ordinance is scheduled for a vote at the Wednesday, Aug. 20, meeting and again at a September meeting, before it would take effect at the beginning of 2026.
Source: Daily Times; 8/5/2025