PHILADELPHIA – Today, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) introduced legislation to restore the expired City of Philadelphia Sustainable Business Tax Credit (SBTC), which gives eligible sustainable businesses a tax credit of up to $8,000 annually against their Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT). The SBTC rewards businesses that prioritize a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit.
“It is time to bring back the City of Philadelphia’s Sustainable Business Tax Credit, which rewards business that do well by doing good,” said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Chair of the Committee on the Environment. “Sustainable businesses have our community’s back, the City should have theirs.”
The SBTC was originally introduced in 2009 and expired in 2023. By restoring the SBTC, Councilmember Gauthier will uplift local businesses that are building an economic ecosystem that centers on localism, serving community needs, sharing wealth, and protecting the environment.
Devi Ramkissoon, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) said, “SBN applauds Councilmember Gauthier’s re-introduction of the Sustainable Business Tax Credit. This long overdue and vital legislation will allow businesses in the City to achieve sustainability goals that are in line with the Mayor’s Clean and Green initiatives and advance Philadelphia’s reputation as one of the most sustainable and business-friendly cities in the country. This updated legislation will benefit more businesses in an even more equitable way than the first iteration of the SBTC.”
Councilmember Gauthier’s bill would also make the following changes to the SBTC:
- Removes the sunset date, making it a permanent resource for local sustainable businesses.
- Increases the maximum tax credit from $4,000 to $8,000 annually.
- Removes the cap on the number of participating businesses.
- Streamlines the certification process to make it more accessible and efficient for the City and applicants.
Jenn Richey Nicholas, CEO of Pixel Parlor, a women-owned B Corp, said, “The Sustainable Business Tax Credit proves to purpose driven business owners that the city is invested in a sustainable economy and future for its citizens. It makes business owners feel seen and gives them a bit of a boost to keep putting in the hard work.”
Nothing is more make-or-break for our city’s future than preparing for climate change. To do this successfully, the City must incentivize the private sector to be part of the climate solution.
To earn the SBTC, businesses must be a certified “B Corp” or meet the Office of Sustainability’s definition of a “Sustainable Business”. Previous sustainability criteria can be found here.
SBN champions the SBTC. As the then-leader of SBN, Councilmember Gauthier worked with then-Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez to expand the initial version of the SBTC in 2016.
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Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) is the Chair of City Council’s Committee on the Environment. She has years of experience in the sustainability sector. Before joining Philadelphia City Council in 2020, Councilmember Gauthier led the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.
Since its founding in 2001, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia has helped thousands of local independent businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region to build profitable enterprises that serve the community, share wealth, and protect the environment.
