Harrisburg, PA — Starting today, there is a new online platform available for Pennsylvania taxpayers who are filing an appeal or submitting a request for a refund. The launch of the new Online Petition Center is part of the Department of Revenue’s (DOR’s) efforts to improve online tools and provide first-rate customer service for the Pennsylvanians the agency works with on a daily basis.
“We are thrilled to bring taxpayers a new online resource that will help them navigate the tax-filing process,” said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “With the support of Governor Josh Shapiro, we have improved and streamlined the online filing options that we offer. We look forward to continuing this work to ensure that we are providing the best filing support possible.”
Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, his Administration has made a commitment to improving online services to meet many Pennsylvanians where they are. He remains committed to providing accessible, efficient tools that ensure every resident gets the support they need — including when they are managing their state tax obligations.
The new Online Petition Center is a key initiative for the Board of Appeals (BOA), which is the first level for a taxpayer to contest a tax assessment or settlement issued by DOR. BOA also accepts most petitions for refund on taxes that have already been paid to DOR.
Key features of the new Online Petition Center include:
- Improved interface that will be more user friendly and work intuitively to adapt to the specific taxpayer and tax type.
- A "tracker" feature that will allow taxpayers the option to check the status of their petition after submission.
- This option will confirm the appeal has been received and offer updates during the process, such as when the appeal has been assigned to a hearing officer.
- Improved security and accessibility features that will help prevent simple errors and validate addresses.
- Option to pause a petition, save your progress, and return to complete the process.
- This option will be available for 30 days after you begin a new petition.
- Simpler terminology to streamline the process and guide taxpayers.
The new Online Petition Center was developed in-house by the Office of Administration in collaboration with the department.
“We are working to modernize critical IT systems in the Department of Revenue and across state agencies so we can continue to provide reliable and secure digital services and create more user-friendly interactions for our residents,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “The new Online Petition Center is a testament to DOR’s focus on customer service and being a leader in tax administration.”
Keystone Login
The new Online Petition Center also involves a transition to the Keystone Login account management system, meaning users will need to sign up for a new username and password to access the new system.
Keystone Login accounts are utilized across multiple government agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction. One major goal of this effort is to create a simpler user experience and alleviate the need for people to keep track of account information (username and password) for several applications.
The Online Petition Center’s move to Keystone Login will allow for multi-factor authentication, utilize the most current online security best practices, while also reducing costs to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Watch the following video for step-by-step instructions on creating a Keystone Login account.
IMPORTANT: After you create a Keystone Login account and transition to the new Online Petition Center, you will not have access to prior petitions submitted using the previous application.
The Board of Appeals
Under Pennsylvania law, the Board of Appeals (BOA) was established to review initial actions taken by the Department of Revenue against a taxpayer, such as assessments, refund requests, denials of property tax/rent rebate claims, and charitable exemptions. The BOA is the first formal level of adjudication for tax, rebate, and refund appeals in Pennsylvania. More information can be found at revenue.pa.gov/taxappeals.