Pennsylvania vs Delaware Taxes: Comparison
Pennsylvania vs Delaware Taxes 2026: Complete Comparison
Pennsylvania and Delaware are neighbors with surprisingly different tax approaches. Delaware has no sales tax and is business-friendly ("Delaware corporation" anyone?). Pennsylvania has a flat income tax and higher property taxes.
Quick Comparison
| Tax Category | Pennsylvania | Delaware | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 3.07% flat | 2.2% - 6.6% | ⭐ PA (for high earners) |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 0% | ⭐ Delaware |
| Property Tax | 1.50% | 0.57% | ⭐ Delaware |
| Total Tax Burden | 10.2% | 6.4% (#47 lowest!) | ⭐ Delaware |
Bottom Line: Delaware wins overall with dramatically lower total tax burden, no sales tax, and low property tax.
Total Federal Tax
$16,712
Effective Tax Rate
16.71%
Your Tax Bracket
22%
Marginal tax rate on next dollar earned
Tax Breakdown by Bracket
2026 Tax Brackets (Single)
Income Tax
Pennsylvania: 3.07% Flat
Simple flat tax on all income:
- $75K = $2,303
- $100K = $3,070
- $200K = $6,140
Delaware: 2.2% - 6.6%
Progressive brackets:
- 2.2% up to $5K
- 3.9% on $5K-$10K
- 4.8% on $10K-$20K
- 5.2% on $20K-$25K
- 5.55% on $25K-$60K
- 6.6% on $60K+
Examples:
- $75K = $4,200
- $100K = $5,850
- $200K = $12,450
Income Tax Winner
PA wins for income above ~$80K
DE wins for income below ~$80K
Take Standard Deduction
$47,500
Standard deduction of $47,500 exceeds itemized deductions by $22,500
Standard Deduction
$47,500
Itemized Deductions
$25,000
Your total deductible expenses
🎉 NEW 2026 Senior Deduction (OBBBA)
$12,000 additional deduction for taxpayers 65+
Deduction Breakdown
2026 Standard Deduction Amounts
- • Single: $16,100
- • Married Filing Jointly: $32,200
- • Head of Household: $24,150
- • Single: $2,050 per condition
- • Married: $1,650 per person, per condition
- • $6,000 per taxpayer age 65+
- • Phases out at $75K (single) / $150K (married)
- • 6% reduction per dollar over threshold
💡 Optimization Tips
• You're benefiting from the NEW 2026 senior deduction - a valuable OBBBA provision
Sales Tax: DE Dominates
Pennsylvania: 6%
Most goods taxed at 6%. Exceptions:
- Groceries: exempt
- Clothing: exempt
- Prescription drugs: exempt
Delaware: 0%
NO SALES TAX
Annual Impact ($40K spending):
- PA: $2,400 sales tax
- DE: $0
- DE saves $2,400/year
Many Marylanders and Pennsylvanians shop in Delaware to avoid sales tax!
Property Tax: DE Wins Big
Pennsylvania
Average: 1.50%
- $400K home = $6,000/year
Delaware
Average: 0.57%
- $400K home = $2,280/year
DE saves $3,720/year on property tax!
Over-Withholding
$15,600
You're giving the IRS an interest-free loan. Expect a refund.
Estimated Tax Owed
$0
Total Withholding
$15,600
Recommended Action
Tax Calculation Breakdown
Payment Schedule
💡 Withholding Tips
• You're over-withholding by $15,600/year. Consider reducing to increase take-home pay
• Submit new W-4 form to your employer to adjust withholding by $600/paycheck
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Middle-Income Family
Income: $120,000
$450K home
Pennsylvania:
- Income: $3,684
- Sales: $2,400
- Property: $6,750
- Total: $12,834
Delaware:
- Income: $7,170
- Sales: $0
- Property: $2,565
- Total: $9,735
DE saves: $3,099/year 🎉
Scenario 2: High Earner
Income: $250,000
$600K home
Pennsylvania:
- Income: $7,675
- Sales: $3,000
- Property: $9,000
- Total: $19,675
Delaware:
- Income: $16,050
- Sales: $0
- Property: $3,420
- Total: $19,470
DE saves: $205/year (close race!)
Total Child Tax Credit
$4,400
Refundable Portion
$0
Credit Breakdown
Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Credit
2026 Child Tax Credit Parameters
Credit Amounts
- • Per qualifying child (under 17): $2,200
- • Per other dependent (17+): $500
- • Refundable portion limit: $1,700/child
Phase-Out Thresholds
- • Single: $200,000
- • Married Filing Jointly: $400,000
- • Reduction: $50 per $1,000 over threshold
💡 Optimization Tips
• Your income is well below phase-out threshold - you're receiving full credit
Which State Wins?
Delaware Better For:
✅ Most households (lower total burden)
✅ Homeowners (much lower property tax)
✅ Big spenders (no sales tax!)
✅ Beach lovers (Rehoboth, Bethany)
✅ Business owners (DE corporation benefits)
✅ Lower earners
Pennsylvania Better For:
✅ Very high earners ($200K+) without homes
✅ Urban lifestyle seekers (Philadelphia)
✅ Sports fans (Eagles, Steelers, etc.)
✅ Those wanting 4 distinct seasons
Special Considerations
Delaware Beaches: Tax-free shopping + beach = summer tourism boom
"Delaware Loophole": No sales tax attracts shoppers from MD, PA, NJ
Philadelphia vs Wilmington: Philly is bigger, more urban. Wilmington is smaller but growing.
Your QBI Deduction (Section 199A)
$20,000
20% of your qualified business income
Estimated Tax Savings
$4,800
Based on your marginal tax bracket
QBI Deduction Breakdown
2026 QBI Deduction Parameters
Income Thresholds (2026)
- • Single/HoH: $201,775 threshold
- • Married Joint: $403,500 threshold
- • Phase-in range: $75,000 (single) / $150,000 (married)
Deduction Rules
- • Standard deduction: 20% of QBI
- • Limited to 20% of taxable income
- • W-2 wage limit may apply above threshold
- • SSTB restrictions for high earners
💡 Optimization Strategies
• Your income is below the threshold - no wage or SSTB limitations apply. Focus on maximizing QBI.
FAQ
Q: Why does Delaware have such low taxes?
Corporate franchise fees! Delaware incorporates 60%+ of Fortune 500 companies. This revenue allows lower resident taxes.
Q: Can I shop in DE to avoid sales tax?
Yes! Perfectly legal. Many do.
Q: Which has better schools?
PA has strong suburban school districts. DE varies more. Research specific districts.
Q: Cost of living?
Similar overall. DE beach areas expensive. PA Pittsburgh/smaller cities cheaper.
Conclusion
For most households, Delaware offers lower total tax burden—typically $2,000-5,000/year savings, mainly from no sales tax and low property tax.
High earners ($200K+) find the states roughly equal, with PA's lower income tax offsetting DE's other advantages.
Calculate Your Savings:
Total Federal Tax
$16,712
Effective Tax Rate
16.71%
Your Tax Bracket
22%
Marginal tax rate on next dollar earned
Tax Breakdown by Bracket
2026 Tax Brackets (Single)
Your Earned Income Tax Credit
$4,250
Credit being phased out
EITC Credit Breakdown
Income Analysis
2026 EITC Parameters
Maximum Credits (2026)
- • No children: $664
- • 1 child: $4,427
- • 2 children: $7,316
- • 3+ children: $8,231
Key Requirements
- • Must have earned income
- • Investment income limit: $11,950
- • Must file tax return (even if not required)
- • Valid Social Security number required
💡 Optimization Tips
• Your credit is being reduced by $177.378 due to phaseout
• Consider tax-deferred retirement contributions to reduce AGI and increase EITC
AMT Owed
$0
Total Tax Liability
$65,000
AMT Calculation Breakdown
2026 AMT Parameters
- • Single: $90,100
- • Married Joint: $140,200
- • Single: $500,000
- • Married Joint: $1,000,000
- • Phaseout rate: 50% (increased from 25%)
- • 26% on first $244,500
- • 28% on excess over $244,500
Last Updated: Jan 2, 2026
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