What is Scranton's earned income tax rate for residents?

Scranton residents pay a 3.40% earned income tax in 2026, confirmed against the Scranton Single Tax Office's official withholding schedule.

What rate applies if I work in Scranton but live somewhere else?

Nonresidents who work in Scranton are withheld at 1.00%, significantly lower than the 3.40% resident rate.

Why is Scranton's EIT so much higher than most PA municipalities?

Scranton was designated a financially distressed municipality under Pennsylvania's Act 47 from 1992 to 2022, gaining authority to levy a higher combined earned income tax to help stabilize its finances. The elevated rate has continued after exiting distressed status.

Does Scranton still charge the Local Services Tax?

Yes. Scranton levies the standard $52 annual Local Services Tax, prorated across paychecks, in addition to the earned income tax.

Does this calculator automatically apply Scranton's resident rate?

Yes. The Municipality preset defaults to Scranton's 3.40% resident rate. Nonresidents should change the EIT rate field to 1.00%.

2026 IRS & Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Figures

Scranton Paycheck Calculator — PA Take-Home Pay (3.40% EIT)

Scranton's 3.40% resident earned income tax is one of the highest municipal EIT rates in Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia — a legacy of the three decades (1992–2022) the city spent under Act 47 distressed-municipality status, during which it gained expanded taxing authority to help stabilize its finances. That elevated rate is still in effect today, verified directly against the Scranton Single Tax Office's own withholding schedule. Enter your pay details below to see exactly how it affects your paycheck, or start with the general Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator if Scranton isn't your municipality.

Updated for 2026 Tax Year Rate Verified vs. Official Source Hourly & Salaried Workers

How often are you paid?

Pay frequency

How are you paid?

Type

Gross pay method

Amount ($)

Pay date for your records

Any overtime? Add overtime pay

Form W-4 Use 2019 or earlier Form W-4?Older forms use withholding allowances instead of dollar amounts

Are you a nonresident alien?NRAs generally cannot claim the standard deduction

Filing status

Work more than one job, or does your spouse work?Step 2 — enables higher-rate withholding

Adjustments (annual $)

Dependent amount

Other income amount

Deduction amount

Additional withholding ($/paycheck)

Exemptions Exempt from Federal Income Tax Withholding?

Exempt from Social Security Tax?

Exempt from Medicare Tax?

Pennsylvania state income tax

Rate

Additional withholding ($/paycheck)

Exempt from State Income Tax Withholding?

State Unemployment Insurance (SUI)

PA employee UC contribution 0.07% of gross wages, no wage cap (2026 rate)

Exempt from State Unemployment Insurance (SUI)?

Earned Income Tax (local EIT)

Municipality preset

EIT rate (%) Preset to Scranton resident rate — edit if you're a nonresident (1.00%) or work elsewhere

Exempt from Earned Income Tax?

Local Services Tax (LST)

Annual LST ($) $52/yr in Scranton; prorated each pay period

Exempt from Local Services Tax?Many municipalities exempt workers earning under $12,000/yr

What are you paying for benefits?

Medical ($/period)

Dental ($/period)

Vision ($/period)

Healthcare FSA ($/period)

Dependent FSA ($/period)

Healthcare HSA ($/period)

Retirement

Type

Amount type

Amount (%)

Post-tax deductions

Post-tax deductions ($/period) Garnishments, union dues, etc.

Your Scranton take-home estimate

Take Home

Earnings	$0
Salary / wages	$0
Overtime	$0
Taxes	$0
Federal income tax	$0
Social Security tax	$0
Medicare tax	$0
PA state income tax	$0
PA unemployment (SUI)	$0
Local earned income tax	$0
Local services tax (LST)	$0
Additional withholding	$0
Benefits	$0
Pre-tax health / FSA / HSA	$0
Retirement (401k)	$0
Post-tax deductions	$0
Take home	$0

Effective tax rate0.0%

Estimates only, based on 2026 IRS federal brackets and standard deduction, Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% income tax, the 2026 PA employee UC (SUI) rate of 0.07%, Scranton's 3.40% resident earned income tax, and 2026 FICA figures ($184,500 Social Security wage base). Not tax or legal advice — actual withholding depends on your employer's payroll system, your W-4, and your local tax forms.

Item	2026 Figure
Resident earned income tax	3.40%
Nonresident earned income tax	1.00%
County	Lackawanna County
Local Services Tax (LST)	$52/yr, flat
PA state income tax (statewide flat rate)	3.07%
Est. combined local tax on $55,000 salary	~$1,922
Act 47 distressed-municipality status	1992–2022 (exited after 30 years)

Why Scranton's Rate Is Higher

Why Scranton's EIT Sits Above the Typical PA Rate

Most Pennsylvania municipalities cap their combined Act 32 earned income tax around 1%, split between the municipality and school district. Scranton is a notable exception. During its long run as a state-designated distressed municipality, the city gained authority to levy a higher combined rate to help stabilize its finances — and even after formally exiting Act 47 status in 2022, that 3.40% resident rate has remained in place.

If you work in Scranton but live elsewhere, you're generally withheld at the lower 1.00% nonresident rate rather than the resident rate — edit the EIT rate field in the calculator above to reflect that. Compare how Scranton's rate stacks up against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Allentown, or browse every municipality on the PA Cities hub.

FAQ

Scranton Paycheck Calculator — FAQ

Scranton residents pay a 3.40% earned income tax in 2026, confirmed against the Scranton Single Tax Office's official withholding schedule. This is one of the highest municipal EIT rates in Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia's separate Wage Tax system.
Nonresidents who work in Scranton are withheld at 1.00%, significantly lower than the 3.40% resident rate. Under Act 32, your employer generally withholds at the higher of your home or work municipality's rate, so your actual liability depends on where you live too.
Scranton was designated a financially distressed municipality under Pennsylvania's Act 47 from 1992 to 2022. During that period the city was granted authority to levy a higher combined earned income tax than the roughly 1% typical cap most municipalities follow, to help stabilize its finances. The elevated rate has continued even after the city formally exited distressed status.
Yes. Scranton levies the standard $52 annual Local Services Tax, prorated across your paychecks, in addition to the earned income tax.
Yes. The Municipality preset on the State & Local tab defaults to Scranton's 3.40% resident rate. If you're a nonresident working in Scranton, change the EIT rate field to 1.00%, or enter your own municipality's rate if it differs.