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Pennsylvania
Employee Obligations (Which Returns YOU Must File)
Pennsylvania has a Convenience of Employer rule that affects South Carolina residents. If your employer is in Pennsylvania and you work remotely from South Carolina, Pennsylvania may still tax your paycheck. File a nonresident Pennsylvania return plus your South Carolina return and claim the SC1040TC credit. Consider consulting a CPA.
Employer Obligations (What Your Employer Must Withhold & Remit)
Pennsylvania's Convenience of Employer rule may require withholding Pennsylvania tax even if the South Carolina employee works 100% remotely. Register from day 1. The COE rule means employers must withhold PA tax for remote Minnesota employees. Register with local EIT collectors under Act 32. Must withhold employee SUI (Pennsylvania is one of the few states requiring employee contributions to state unemployment). Unemployment applies to the first $10,000 of wages.
City & Local Income Taxes (Extra Filings Beyond the State Return)
Pennsylvania has the second most extensive local tax system in the country. Over 2,400 municipalities and 400 school districts levy local taxes. Philadelphia charges 3.44% on nonresidents (higher than the state tax rate). Pittsburgh charges 1% plus $52 per year LST. Most others range from 0.5% to 1.5%. Employers withhold local tax if the employee works 90 or more consecutive days. The M1CR credit does NOT cover local taxes. Working in Philadelphia means approximately 6.5% combined state and local.
Other Paycheck Deductions (Disability, Paid Leave, Unemployment)
Employee share of state unemployment insurance.
Remote Work Tax Risk — Convenience of Employer (COE) Rule
Pennsylvania has a full Convenience of Employer rule that affects South Carolina residents. If your employer is based in Pennsylvania and you work remotely from South Carolina, Pennsylvania may tax your entire paycheck as if you worked there.
Related guides
More from South Carolina · Cross-State Work
- South Carolina → Michigan
- South Carolina → Minnesota
- South Carolina → Missouri
- South Carolina → Mississippi
- South Carolina → Montana
Moving to Pennsylvania from elsewhere · Cross-State Work
South Carolina → Pennsylvania in other topics
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed CPA or tax attorney for your specific situation. All information researched as of March 21, 2026.