Berkheimer Tax Guide | Login, Forms & 7 Safety Tips

July 16, 2025

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Source: foxbusinessmarkets.com

If you live or work in Pennsylvania, chances are you’ve encountered the name Berkheimer Tax in your mailbox or on your pay stub. But what exactly is it?

Berkheimer Tax Administrator, also known simply as Berkheimer, is a third-party tax collection agency authorized by municipalities in Pennsylvania to collect various local taxes. This includes:

Earned Income Tax (EIT)
Local Services Tax (LST)
Business Privilege Tax (BPT)

Unlike the IRS or state tax bodies, Berkheimer focuses on local-level taxation, helping towns, boroughs, and school districts collect taxes efficiently. Whether you’re a W-2 employee or a business owner, dealing with Berkheimer may be a required part of your tax year.

Table of Contents

Company Overview: Berkheimer Tax Administrator

Berkheimer isn’t a government agency, but it’s not just a private business either — it’s what’s known as a designated tax administrator.

📍 Headquarters:

Berkheimer is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with satellite offices across the state.

🏛️ Authorized Role:

Local governments in Pennsylvania contract companies like Berkheimer to collect taxes on their behalf. They are legally authorized under Act 32 to perform this duty.

💼 Services Offered:

Collects Earned Income Tax (EIT) from individuals
Collects Local Services Tax (LST) from employees and contractors
Handles Business Privilege/Mercantile Tax for businesses
Offers taxpayer support, electronic filing, and compliance management

🤝 Who Uses Berkheimer?

Municipalities and school districts across Pennsylvania
Employers who must remit local taxes
Individual residents and business owners

Whether you like it or not, if your town uses Berkheimer, you’re legally obligated to comply with its tax notices and filings.

Berkheimer Tax Login Portal: Access & Navigation

Filing your local taxes with Berkheimer usually starts with the online portal, available at their official website: hab-inc

👨‍💻 How to Log In:

Visit the homepage
Click on “Taxpayer Login” or “File and Pay”
Enter your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Provide the Tax Year and Account Type

🛠️ Services Available After Login:

View and pay your tax bill
File returns (EIT, BPT, LST)
Upload supporting documents
Check refund status
Print tax forms and confirmations

🔐 Forgot Password?

Berkheimer’s portal doesn’t require a traditional login password — instead, it uses account validation details like your name, SSN, and tax type for security.

⚠️ Tip: Only log in via the official website — avoid third-party “tax portals” which may be phishing scams.

Berkheimer Tax Forms: Download, File & Submit

Whether you’re a resident filing your local income tax or a business filing the privilege tax, Berkheimer provides downloadable forms on its website.

📃 Common Forms Available:

Earned Income Tax Final Return (IND-F-1)
Quarterly Estimated Payment Vouchers (IND-1ES)
Local Services Tax Exemption Certificate
Business Privilege/Mercantile Tax Forms

🧾 How to File:

Electronically via the e-file portal
Mail-in option with check or money order
Include PSD code (Political Subdivision Code) if mailing

📌 Note: Most PA employers report local taxes to Berkheimer, but individuals still need to file annually if they earned income.

🕐 Deadlines:

April 15 for annual Earned Income Tax Return
Business taxes may vary based on municipality

Berkheimer Tax Refund Status: How to Track It

If you’re due a refund from overpayment or withholding, Berkheimer allows you to check your refund status through its online system.

🔍 How to Track Your Refund:

Visit hab-inc.com
Navigate to “Where’s My Refund?” section
Enter your:

- Social Security Number
- Tax Year
- Municipality code (PSD)

⏳ Typical Processing Time:

6–8 weeks after return is received
Can be longer during peak season (March–April)

📨 Common Delays:

Missing or incorrect info
Unpaid prior-year taxes
Manual review due to exemption or LST status

🧠 Pro Tip: If your employer withheld too much LST and you qualify for an exemption, you may be eligible for a full refund — but you must apply separately.

What Is Berkheimer Tax Innovations?

You might have seen the name Berkheimer Tax Innovations on letters or envelopes — this is a sub-brand of Berkheimer focusing on digital tax services.

📌 What It Covers:

Electronic billing and document delivery
Online payment solutions
Form auto-fill tools
E-notifications and digital correspondence

Berkheimer Tax Innovations isn’t a separate company — it’s a technology-focused division under the Berkheimer umbrella.

Berkheimer Tax Innovations Letter Scam Alert

In recent years, some residents have reported suspicious letters allegedly from “Berkheimer Tax Innovations.”

🚨 How to Identify a Legit Berkheimer Letter:

Return address matches: P.O. Box 25153, Lehigh Valley, PA
Account number and PSD code are present
Letter uses professional language, no threats

❌ Red Flags for Scam Letters:

Demands immediate payment via gift cards, Venmo, or untraceable methods
Uses unofficial return addresses
Contains typos or grammar errors
Threatens arrest or legal action if unpaid within 24 hours

📞 What to Do:

Call Berkheimer’s verified support line: 1-866-701-7206
Do not call the number printed on a suspicious letter
Report scam attempts to the PA Attorney General’s office

🧠 Reminder: Berkheimer will never ask for your banking or card info via email or text message.

7 Safety Tips When Using Berkheimer Tax Services

Use the Official Website Only: Visit www.hab-inc.com — never click tax links from email/SMS.
Don’t Share SSN via Email: Always use the secure portal for uploads.
Verify “Innovations” Letters: Cross-check address, phone numbers, and account number.
Enable Two-Factor Login (if available): Adds a layer of security.
Check PSD Code Validity: Use the PA official tax PSD lookup tool.
Double-Check Contact Numbers: Only call the numbers on Berkheimer’s official site.
Watch for Red Flags in Language: Urgent, threatening tone = scam risk.

Berkheimer Tax Deadlines & Penalties

Failing to meet tax deadlines can result in penalties, interest, or collection actions. Here’s what you need to know:

📅 Key Deadlines:

April 15: Annual return for Earned Income Tax
Quarterly Estimates: April, June, September, January (following year)
Business Privilege Tax: Varies by municipality

💸 Penalties for Late Filing:

5% of tax due per month late (up to 25%)
Additional interest calculated daily
Failure to file may lead to wage garnishment

🧾 Extensions:

Extensions may be requested using proper forms
Still required to estimate and pay tax due by April 15

How to Dispute a Berkheimer Tax Bill

Sometimes tax notices from Berkheimer may contain incorrect information — a wrong income amount, an old employer, or a duplicate charge. Here’s how to file a dispute professionally.

📋 Common Dispute Reasons:

Incorrect employer withholding
Duplicate filing notifications
Taxpayer moved to a different jurisdiction
LST charged despite exemption

🛠️ Steps to File a Dispute:

Gather all supporting documents (W-2s, paystubs, prior-year returns)
Visit the Berkheimer website and navigate to “Contact Us”
Choose “Dispute/Request for Review”
Submit your documents via upload or mail

⏱️ Review Timeline:

Most disputes are reviewed in 30–45 business days
You’ll receive confirmation via mail or email

💡 Pro Tip: Never ignore a notice, even if incorrect. Always respond formally to pause collections or penalties.

Berkheimer for Businesses

In addition to individual tax services, Berkheimer administers several business-focused tax obligations, including:

🏢 Taxes Managed:

Business Privilege Tax (BPT) or Mercantile Tax
Net Profits Tax for partnerships and freelancers
Local Services Tax (if not withheld by employer)

📑 Business Services Include:

Quarterly estimated payment forms
Year-end reconciliations
Online bulk payment options
EIN-based portal access for businesses

✅ Berkheimer also assists municipalities in business registration compliance and outreach.

Berkheimer Tax Tools: Online & Mobile Usability

While Berkheimer doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app, their website is mobile-responsive, making it easy to:

File returns on a phone/tablet
Upload documents
Track refunds
Contact customer support

🔧 Digital Tools Include:

Refund status tracker
Payment calculator
Live chat widget (available during business hours)

Glossary of Berkheimer Tax Terms

Here are some essential Berkheimer-related terms explained simply:

Term	Meaning
EIT	Earned Income Tax — paid by all working residents/non-residents
LST	Local Services Tax — flat fee paid annually for working in a jurisdiction
BPT	Business Privilege Tax — based on gross receipts of local businesses
PSD Code	Political Subdivision Code — unique ID for each PA locality
Net Profits Tax	Tax on profits from freelancing, partnerships, or sole proprietorships

Is Berkheimer a Government Agency?

No — Berkheimer is a private company, but it’s authorized by PA local governments to collect taxes on their behalf.

🔍 Authority Details:

Appointed under Act 32
Works with local tax bureaus and school districts
Cannot change tax laws — only enforces them

✅ Think of Berkheimer as a contracted tax collector, similar to how some cities hire private parking enforcement.

Berkheimer vs. Other Pennsylvania Tax Collectors

Pennsylvania uses several third-party collectors. Here’s how Berkheimer compares:

Company	Coverage	Portal UX	Refund Speed	Support Rating
Berkheimer	30% of PA	Good	Avg 6–8 weeks	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keystone Collections	45% of PA	Excellent	3–5 weeks	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jordan Tax Service	Western PA	Fair	6–10 weeks	⭐⭐⭐

📌 Your assigned collector depends on your home and work municipalities. PSD Code lookup tools can help confirm which applies.

Understanding Berkheimer Tax Letters

Official letters from Berkheimer may include:

Filing reminders
Refund updates
Delinquent notices
Request for additional info

How to Spot a Legit Letter:

Logo matches official branding
Return address from Lehigh Valley or Allentown, PA
Includes your account number and PSD code
No payment links or QR codes

🚫 If the letter asks for instant payment via unusual methods — it’s a scam.

Final Thoughts: Dealing with Berkheimer the Smart Way

Navigating local taxes in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Berkheimer Tax:

✅ Know your PSD Code
✅ File and pay on time
✅ Always verify the source of letters
✅ Keep records of all payments and filings
✅ Use the secure website only
✅ Call for clarification instead of guessing
✅ When in doubt, consult a tax professional

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