June 2021
UMT Residents with Philadelphia Jobs May be Eligible for Wage Tax Refund

Upper Makefield residents who worked from home for a Philadelphia-based business during the Covid-19 Pandemic may receive yet another benefit to not commuting: A tax refund. 
  
Nearly all municipalities in the Philadelphia area levy an Earned Income Tax (EIT), with most topping out at 1%. Anyone who works in Philadelphia and lives elsewhere must pay the non-resident Philadelphia Wage Tax, which is 3.5019% of gross wages. It is either/or: If you don't need to pay the Philadelphia Wage Tax, you are subject to the Earned Income Tax.

Telecommuters, however, may no longer be subject to the Philadelphia Wage Tax when they work from home. In Upper Makefield Township, the Earned Income Tax is 1% tax on earned income, wages or net profits. Proceeds from this tax are split equally between Council Rock School District and Upper Makefield Township.

Is It Worth It?  
Is it worth the effort to pursue a refund? Yes! An Upper Makefield resident who was employed for $60,000 by a Philadelphia-based business and required to work from home during the pandemic could save about $1,500 over one year. Plus, the 1% you contribute instead will be invested in local improvements. Here are links to what you need to apply for a Wage Tax Refund.

From the City of Philadelphia
  • 2020 Wage Tax RefundFor any amount of time a Philadelphia job was required to be conducted at a home outside the city limits, the taxpayer may request a Wage Tax Refund from the City of Philadelphia. 

From Your Employer
  • Residency Certification FormAnyone who continues working from their home outside of the City of Philadelphia should submit a Residency Certification Form to their employer and request that their local EIT be deducted from their wages instead of the City Wage tax. A political subdivision code (PSD) will be needed for the form.

  • Political Subdivision (PDS) CodeA PSD code will be needed to complete the Residency Certification Form. Use this Municipal Statistics tool to find PSD codes. The PSD code for Upper Makefield Township is 090604.

From Keystone Collections
  • Out-of-State Credit WorksheetUpper Makefield residents pay the Earned Income Tax to Keystone Collections. When submitting a tax return to Keystone Collections, use the "Out-Of-State Tax Credit Worksheet" on Line 12  to determine whether you are eligible for a tax credit for the time you did not work in Philadelphia.
 
Note: If you are new to Upper Makefield, find instructions for filing on the Keystone Collections website or by calling 1-866-539-1100. The EIT due date is April 15.
Township Renews Annual Deer Management Program

The Township has renewed its annual agreement with Big Oak Whitetail Management Association (BOWMA) to help manage the local deer population. The agreement allows vetted and trained bow hunters to hunt on Township-owned property during Pennsylvania’s archery hunting season, which runs from September 18, 2021- January 29, 2022. 
 
BOWMA is a non-profit organization that works with both Upper and Lower Makefield Townships. Each year, they donate a portion of their harvest to local food banks. Last season, a total of 128 deer were removed (69 were from Upper Makefield) and 1,440 pounds of meat were donated. 
 
To improve overall results, Upper Makefield officials urge residents to grant property access to BOWMA. With access to private property, this annual deer management program is more effective in reducing car collisions, deer ticks and property destruction. There is no cost to the property owner. 
 
All BOWMA hunters are over age 21, have passed a proficiency test, attended the PA Game Commission “Successful Bow Hunting” class, are individually insured, and have completed a background check. 

Visit the BOWMA website for more information and to contact BOWMA to discuss your property. 

Worse Before Better
Expect Delays as Scudder Falls Bridge Construction Continues

Work continues on the 5-year, $534 million Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project, slated for completion in 2022. Travel restrictions are planned to end by December 2021. When complete, the construction will have included 4.4 miles of highway and bridge improvements between the Newtown-Yardley Road/Route 332 Interchange in Pennsylvania and the Bear Tavern Road/County Route 579 Interchange in New Jersey, including two all-new bridge spans.

Stay updated with travel advisories on the Scudder Falls Bridge Reconstruction website "Newsroom" tab. You can also sign up for email alerts on the "Outreach" page from the box that reads "Stay Informed."
Going on Vacation? Sign up for Vacation Home Checks

Upper Makefield Township Police officers on patrol will pay extra attention to your home when they know you are away on vacation.

Request this service by completing a House Check Form or by calling 215-968-3020 prior to your departure and provide the following information:
  • Your name
  • Address of property
  • Dates you plan to leave and return
  • Emergency contact information and phone number
  • Whether the property has an alarm system
  • Whether anyone else will be on the property (checking on pets, watering gardens, picking up mail)

The Upper Makefield Township Police Department offers a variety of home safety services to our residents. For more information on any of these services, visit the Police Department page of our website or call 215-968-3020.
$8.7 Million Washington Crossing Rehabilitation Project Underway

If you've been in the Crossing recently, you have no doubt noticed the renovations underway at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of General Services worked together to fund the $8.7 million revitalization project. It includes restoration to 11 historic buildings and to other modern-day structures at the Park. All work on the buildings will be done using historic preservation methods to protect the cultural and historical significance of the site.

The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2022.
Roundup

Please Update HOA Contact Information
  • Please remember to update the Township when there are changes to your Homeowners’ Association leadership, elected or appointed, by emailing info@uppermakefield.org or calling 215-968-3340.

Saturday, June 26, 2021 - Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
  • Central Bucks South High School, 1100 Folly Road, Warrington.
  • 9 a.m. Rain or Shine. Registration required. Details.
Upper Makefield Township | uppermakefield.org | 215-968-3340