Yardley Borough Council plans to adopt a new 1% earned income tax at its Tuesday, Oct. 6, meeting while repealing the per capita tax, then follow up in November by cutting 10 mills from its 30-mill real estate tax and eliminating the occupational privilege tax to soften the impact on residents. Councilwoman Martha Howlett, who led the proposal, said the eliminated taxes and millage will cost the borough roughly $372,000, but the new earned income tax should generate about $800,000 next year and eventually $1.6 million annually once fully phased in. The move will give the borough a revenue source that can better keep pace with inflation. People who work in Philadelphia will be exempt since they already pay the city's wage tax, volunteer firefighters may get a credit, and retirees generally won't owe the tax on Social Security or most pension income. Howlett also noted that if Pennsbury School Board later enacts its own earned income tax, Yardley would have to split the 1% rate with the district.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/9/2026