Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania (the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) is one of four states of the United States of America that is called a commonwealth. It has given its name to the Pennsylvanian time period in geology. Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State.

Economy

Pennsylvania's 1999 total gross state product was $383 billion, placing it 6th in the nation and its 2000 Per Capita Personal Income was $29,539, 18th in the nation. Its agricultural outputs are dairy products, poultry, cattle, nursery stock, mushrooms, hogs, and hay. Its industrial outputs are food processing, chemical products, machinery, electric equipment, and tourism.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennsylvania has a large, diverse group of manufacturing companies and within this group are some whose products have come to be household words, symbolic of ordinary American life. Among these products are Hershey bars from the Hershey Chocolate Company in Hershey, Pennsylvania; Heinz ketchup and Heinz-57 sauce from the H. J. Heinz Company in Pittsburgh; Crayola products from Binney & Smith, Inc., in Easton; and Zippo lighters from Zippo Manufacturing in Bradford.

Related Topics:
Hershey Chocolate Company - H. J. Heinz Company - Crayola - Zippo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Small companies, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch Candies company, also exist in Pennsylvania.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is well know for its quality wood products such as furniture, sheds, gazebos and play sets. Such items are shipped all over the country (and the world) out of Lancaster County. Most of these are produced by Amish and Mennonite craftsmen.

Related Topics:
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - Amish - Mennonite

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On Lake Erie some freshwater commercial fishing exists, the principal catch being yellow perch.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Taxation

The two largest sources of state revenue are income taxes on individuals and businesses and the state sales tax. In addition, the state imposes other taxes and fees on businesses and collects fees for various licenses and permits. There is also an inheritance tax, taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and taxes and fees on certain other goods and services. There is also a tax on the transfer of real property.

Related Topics:
Income tax - Sales tax - Inheritance tax - Gasoline - Diesel fuel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pennsylvania is one of only five American states to employ a flat tax on personal income. Unlike the others, Pennsylvania's is a pure flat tax with no personal exemptions. As of 2005, the income tax rate for individuals is 3.07% of earned income.

Related Topics:
Flat tax - As of 2005

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The state assesses a 6% sales tax on taxable goods and services. Counties may add additional sales tax charges, but as of 2005, only Philadelphia and Allegheny counties charge an additional sales tax rates. Items such as unprepared food (not ready-to-eat), most clothing, shoes, drugs, textbooks, and residential heating fuels are exempt from sales tax.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The state government does not levy or collect taxes on real estate or personal property. Most counties, municipalities, and school districts do levy taxes on real estate. In addition, some local bodies assess a wage tax on personal income. Generally, the total wage tax rate is capped at 1% of income but some municipalities with home rule charters may charge more than 1%. Thirty-two of the state's sixty-seven counties levy a personal property tax on stocks, bonds, and similar holdings.

Related Topics:
Real estate - Personal property - School district - Wage tax - Home rule - Personal property tax

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In addition to taxes collected on liquor, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is the sole retail distributor of liquor in the state through its government owned Wine and Spirits Stores. Profits from these retail operations are used to fund a number of programs including the Pennsylvania State Police.

Related Topics:
Liquor - Pennsylvania State Police

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Source PA Dept. of Revenue)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~