Reporting

What to file, when it's due, and where to get help if you're behind.

The one step that counts

File by June 15 and your growth stays in Erie.

Every qualified business or property owner in the zone, and any contractor working on a project there, files an annual report with the state and the local tax office. That filing is what turns taxes already being paid into funding the Authority can put back into Erie. If you're not sure how, our accountant will walk you through it, free.

Who has to file

Any qualified business or property owner inside the zone boundary, plus contractors working on projects there.

When it's due

Each report covers the prior year's taxes and is due June 15.

What a missed report costs

That year's growth doesn't count toward the fund, and a late report can carry a penalty of up to $1,000.

Getting ready to file

Here's what filing actually takes.

The report itself is short. This is everything around it, from checking you're in the zone to marking next year's deadline.

  1. Confirm you're in the zone

    Reporting only applies to parcels inside the CRIZ boundary. If you're not certain yours is one of them, check it before you do anything else.

    Check the zone map

  2. Pull last year's numbers

    There's nothing new to calculate. You're reporting the same state and local taxes you already paid for the prior year, nothing more.

  3. File with the state and the local tax office

    One report, two recipients. It covers the year behind you and is due June 15.

  4. Get help if you want it

    First time filing, or just don't want to deal with it alone? Our accountant will walk you through it, at no cost.

    Talk to someone

  5. Put next June 15 on the calendar

    This isn't a one-time filing. As long as you're in the zone, the report comes due every year.

Not sure you're in the zone?

Check the zone map

Want a hand with the paperwork?

Get free filing help

Reporting in your language

Need this in a language other than English?

The reporting packet, the free filing support postcard and a letter to business owners are available in five languages. Pick your language below.

Want to talk to someone? Call or text (484) 951-1289 or email info@eriecriz.org to set up free filing help.

Still have questions?

Filing, answered.

It's a real person, not a hotline script. Call or text and they'll walk you through your own report before June 15.

  • Who provides itAn accountant contracted by the Authority. The help is free to you either way.
  • How to reach themCall or text (484) 951-1289, or email eriecrizcompliance@four-score.com.
  • What they help withPulling your numbers, filling out the state and local forms, and confirming you're filing correctly the first time.
Call for help → Talk to someone →

Yes, for whatever part of the year you operated in the zone. There's no minimum time in before a report is due.

  • No proration shortcutEligible taxes paid during the months you were open in the zone still count and still need reporting.
  • A partial year is still a filing yearReport the state and local taxes you paid from your opening date through year end.
  • Next June 15 still appliesFile again the following June, the same as every other qualified business.
Check the zone map → Talk to someone →

Yes. Filing isn't optional just because this year didn't produce growth above your baseline.

  • The report is the recordIt's what lets the state confirm there was no growth to certify, not only what reports growth when there is some.
  • The penalty doesn't care eitherThe non-filing penalty applies whether or not you had growth to report.
  • A flat year still countsFiling keeps your record clean for the years that do show growth.
See the filing steps → Talk to someone →

The report follows whoever actually operated the business and paid the taxes that year, not just whoever owns the property on paper.

  • Split years, split filingsIf a sale happens mid-year, each owner is responsible for reporting the period they actually operated in the zone.
  • New owners start their own recordThe buyer's reporting history begins with their own ownership, not the seller's.
  • Confirm before closingThis affects both parties' filings, so loop in our accountant before the sale finalizes.
Talk to someone → Call for help →

Yes, for the taxes tied to that project. Construction contractors working in the zone are qualified businesses for that work, separate from the property owner's own filing.

  • A separate report from the owner'sThe property owner files for their own operations; a contractor files for its own eligible taxes earned on the zone project.
  • Tied to the project, not your whole businessOnly the activity connected to work inside the zone qualifies.
  • Same deadline, same helpContractors get the same June 15 deadline and the same free accountant support.
See the filing steps → Talk to someone →

File it anyway, as soon as you can. A late report still keeps future years clean, and waiting only adds another one.

  • Catching up beats skippingAn overdue report can still be submitted. Don't assume the window has closed.
  • The penalty is per reportEach late or missing report carries its own penalty, so catching up sooner limits how many add up.
  • Call before you file aloneOur accountant can help you catch up correctly, free of charge.
Call for help → Talk to someone →