WHEREAS, The Department of Revenue is responsible for the collection of taxes, fines, fees and other amounts owed to the City; and
WHEREAS, The Department is empowered to enter into payment agreements for the collection of money owed to the City, including the power to waive certain amounts owed to the City; and
WHEREAS, The Department may not always inform taxpayers of all options regarding payment agreements, including the availability of payment plans based on their ability to pay; and
WHEREAS, The Department may not always inform taxpayers of their right to challenge erroneous tax assessments and other City claims at the Philadelphia Tax Review Board; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has oversight responsibility of the Department and must ensure Department staff are properly supervised, and that the City is not engaged in unfair collection practices; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of Philadelphia, That the Council Committee on Finance is authorized to hold public hearings on the Department of Revenue’s policies, practices and procedures for the collection of taxes, fines, fees and other charges the Department is responsible for collecting.
End