SB 792 — An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in research and development tax credit, further providing for definitions, for credit for research and development expenses and for limitation on credits.
Last action — Re-referred to Appropriations
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced June 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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11 sponsors
1 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (7 D · 4 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
The bill updates the definitions and limitations for research and development tax credits.
This bill amends the Tax Reform Code related to research and development tax credits by clarifying definitions and adjusting credit limitations. It aims to refine the application of these credits.
What this means for you
- Workers: This could affect workers in businesses that benefit from R&D tax credits by potentially supporting job creation in innovative sectors.
- Families: {}
- Small Business: This means small businesses involved in research and development may have clearer guidelines for claiming tax credits.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
95 added · 26 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent amendments to Bill SB 792 include an increase in the total amount of tax credits available from $60 million to $120 million for each fiscal year. Additionally, the allocation for small businesses has been doubled from $12 million to $24 million. These changes are significant as they aim to provide more financial support for both small businesses and other qualifying taxpayers, enhancing economic growth and innovation in Pennsylvania.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
903 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
7921803 2025THE INTRODUCEDGENERAL BYASSEMBLY FARRY,OF SANTARSIERO,PENNSYLVANIA HAYWOOD,SENATE HUGHES,BILL COSTA,Session PENNYCUICK AND PISCIOTTANO, JUNE 6, 2025 REFERRED TO INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION, JUNE 6, 2025 AN ACT Amending the act of MarchNo. 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An act relating to tax reform and State taxation by codifying and enumerating certain subjects of taxation and imposing taxes thereon;
providing792 procedures2025 forINTRODUCED BY FARRY, SANTARSIERO, HAYWOOD, HUGHES, COSTA, PENNYCUICK, PISCIOTTANO, MILLER, COLLETT, LAUGHLIN AND ROBINSON, JUNE 6, 2025 SENATOR FARRY, INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION, AS AMENDED, JUNE 9, 2026 AN ACT Amending the payment,act collection,of administrationMarch 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An act relating to tax reform and enforcementState thereof;taxation by codifying taxes thereon;
providing procedures for the payment,osing collection, administration and enforcement thereof;
conferring powers and imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations penalties," in research and developmentother taxentities; credit, further providing for limitation on credits.
prescribing crimes, offenses and penalties," in research and development tax credit, further providing FOR DEFINITIONS, FOR CREDIT FOR RESEARCH AND <-- DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES AND for limitation on credits.
Section 1709-B(a) of the act of March 4, 1971 <-- (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, is amended to read:
SECTION 1.
THE DEFINITIONS OF "PENNSYLVANIA BASE AMOUNT" AND <-- "SMALL BUSINESS" IN SECTION 1702-B OF THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1971 (P.L.6, NO.2), KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM CODE OF 1971, ARE AMENDED TO READ:
SECTION 1702-B.
DEFINITIONS.--THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES, WHEN USED IN THIS ARTICLE, SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION, EXCEPT WHERE THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES A DIFFERENT MEANING:
* * * "PENNSYLVANIA BASE AMOUNT." [BASE AMOUNT AS DEFINED IN SECTION 41(C) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 (PUBLIC LAW 99-514, 26 U.S.C.
§ 41(C)), EXCEPT THAT REFERENCES TO "QUALIFIED RESEARCH EXPENSE" SHALL MEAN "PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE" AND REFERENCES TO "QUALIFIED RESEARCH" SHALL MEAN "PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT." REFERENCES TO "FIXED BASE PERCENTAGE" SHALL MEAN THE PERCENTAGE WHICH THE PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE FOR THE FOUR TAXABLE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE TAXABLE YEAR IN WHICH THE EXPENSE IS INCURRED IS TO THE GROSS RECEIPTS FOR SUCH YEARS.
THE FIXED BASE PERCENTAGE FOR A TAXPAYER WHO HAS FEWER THAN FOUR BUT AT LEAST ONE TAXABLE YEAR SHALL BE DETERMINED IN THE SAME MANNER USING THE NUMBER OF IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TAXABLE YEARS TO ARRIVE AT THE PERCENTAGE.] THE TERM SHALL MEAN FIFTY PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES FOR THE THREE TAXABLE YEARS PRECEDING THE TAXABLE YEAR FOR WHICH THE CREDIT IS BEING DETERMINED.
* * * "SMALL BUSINESS." A FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, PARTNERSHIP OR PROPRIETORSHIP WITH NET BOOK VALUE OF ASSETS TOTALING, AT THE BEGINNING OR END OF THE TAXABLE YEAR FOR WHICH PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE IS INCURRED, AS REPORTED ON THE BALANCE SHEET, LESS THAN [FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000)] TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000).
20250SB0792PN1803 - 2 - * * * SECTION 2.
SECTIONS 1703-B(B) AND (C) AND 1709-B(A) OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:
SECTION 1703-B.
CREDIT FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES.--* * * (B) THE FOLLOWING APPLY:
(1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2), A TAXPAYER THAT IS QUALIFIED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) SHALL RECEIVE A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF [TEN] FOURTEEN PER CENT OF THE EXCESS OF THE TAXPAYER'S TOTAL PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR OVER THE TAXPAYER'S PENNSYLVANIA BASE AMOUNT.
(2) A TAXPAYER THAT IS A SMALL BUSINESS AND IS QUALIFIED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) SHALL RECEIVE A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF [TWENTY] TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT OF THE EXCESS OF THE TAXPAYER'S TOTAL PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR OVER THE TAXPAYER'S PENNSYLVANIA BASE AMOUNT.
(C) [BY MAY 1 OF THE SECOND CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE CLOSE OF THE TAXABLE YEAR DURING WHICH THE PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE WAS INCURRED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE TAXPAYER OF THE AMOUNT OF THE TAXPAYER'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.] IF THE TAXPAYER HAS NO PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES IN ANY ONE OF THE THREE TAXABLE YEARS PRECEDING THE TAXABLE YEAR FOR WHICH THE CREDIT IS BEING DETERMINED, THE CREDIT SHALL BE SIX PER CENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA QUALIFIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR FOR WHICH THE CREDIT IS BEING DETERMINED.
Limitation on Credits.--(a) The total 20250SB0792PN1803 - 3 - amount of credits approved by the department shall not exceed [sixty] one hundred twenty million dollars [($60,000,000)] ($120,000,000) in any fiscal year.
* * * Section 2.2 3.
20250SB0792PN0903<-- 20250SB0792PN1803 - 24 -
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill increases the total amount of research and development tax credits and reallocates a portion for small businesses.
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Section 1709-B(a)
sixty→ one hundred twentyThis change increases the total credit limit from $60 million to $120 million.
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Section 1709-B(a)
twelve→ twenty-fourThis change increases the allocated amount for small businesses from $12 million to $24 million.
Action History
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Re-referred to Appropriations
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Second consideration
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First consideration
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Reported as amended
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Referred to Institutional Sustainability & Innovation
Sponsors
- Frank A. Farry · Primary
- Steven J. Santarsiero · Cosponsor
- Art Haywood · Cosponsor
- Vincent J. Hughes · Cosponsor
- Jay Costa · Cosponsor
- Tracy Pennycuick · Cosponsor
- Nick Pisciottano · Cosponsor
- Nick Miller · Cosponsor
- Maria Collett · Cosponsor
- Daniel Laughlin · Cosponsor
- Devlin J. Robinson · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 242 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Frank A. Farry Republican
Co-sponsors (10)
- Steven J. Santarsiero Democratic
- Art Haywood Democratic
- Vincent J. Hughes Democratic
- Jay Costa Democratic
- Tracy Pennycuick Republican
- Nick Pisciottano Democratic
- Nick Miller Democratic
- Maria Collett Democratic
- Daniel Laughlin Republican
- Devlin J. Robinson Republican
Not signed on (242)
242 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 242 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 9% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Yea |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Art Haywood | Democratic | Yea |
| Maria Collett | Democratic | Yea |
| Steven J. Santarsiero | Democratic | Yea |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| Chris Gebhard | Republican | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Devlin J. Robinson | Republican | Yea |
| Frank A. Farry | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Michele Brooks | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 792?
- SB 792 is sponsored by Frank A. Farry (Republican), Steven J. Santarsiero (Democratic), Art Haywood (Democratic), Vincent J. Hughes (Democratic), Jay Costa (Democratic), Tracy Pennycuick (Republican), Nick Pisciottano (Democratic), Nick Miller (Democratic), Maria Collett (Democratic), Daniel Laughlin (Republican), and Devlin J. Robinson (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 792?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced June 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track SB 792?
- Track SB 792 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously
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