Pennsylvania Justices Hammer Pittsburgh on Jock Tax Logistics

Oral arguments before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday raised so many questions about whether Pittsburgh’s fee on visiting athletes and entertainers is constitutional that the justices assigned homework.

“This is unusual for us to do, but I’m going to request further briefing on the issue of what the city has done and what it has not done and why with respect to this being a tax not a fee,” Chief Justice Debra Todd said at the close of arguments. She also asked the parties to explain how the system of credits for taxes paid to other localities should work. ...