Skip to content
← All News Feasterville-Trevose Private Office

Just Over the City Line: What an Office in Trevose Means for Philadelphia-Area Businesses

Philadelphia skyline seen from across the river on a clear day

Trevose sits just over the Philadelphia city line in Lower Bucks County. That location is close enough to the city that clients and employees can reach it easily, but it is outside the city’s borders. For many small businesses, that difference shapes everything from commutes to local taxes. This guide covers what being just outside Philadelphia can and can’t mean for your business, and how to decide whether an office in Trevose fits.

Why the city line matters

Philadelphia levies local taxes that most surrounding townships do not. The two that come up most often for small businesses are the Wage Tax on employee earnings and the Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT). Where your office is located affects both, but not always in the ways people assume.

The Wage Tax

Philadelphia’s Wage Tax applies to all city residents, whether they work in the city or outside it. Non-residents generally owe it on earnings for work performed in Philadelphia. The city’s Department of Revenue explains that if a Philadelphia employer requires a non-resident to perform duties outside the city, that employee is exempt for the days spent on that work. Working from home for their own convenience doesn’t qualify. The city published updated guidance for hybrid arrangements in 2023.

The practical takeaway: an employee who lives outside Philadelphia and works at an office outside Philadelphia is in a very different position from one who commutes into Center City. Residents of the city, however, remain subject to the tax wherever they work.

The Business Income & Receipts Tax

The city states that every business engaged in business within Philadelphia must file a BIRT return. Moving outside the city does not automatically end that obligation. A business located outside Philadelphia can still have “nexus” if it generates at least $100,000 in Philadelphia gross receipts during any 12-month period. The city has also said that having employees who work from home inside the city can create nexus for an outside business, regardless of receipts. That guidance appears in the city’s nexus FAQ.

In other words, an office address in Trevose can change your tax picture, but your customers, your employees, and where the work actually happens matter just as much. These rules are detailed and they change, so talk with a tax professional who knows Philadelphia taxes before you make a move based on them. This article is general information, not tax advice.

Access for the people who matter

Location is about more than taxes. A Trevose office puts you between Northeast Philadelphia and the rest of Bucks County, and it is served by SEPTA Regional Rail. Trevose station is on the West Trenton Line, which runs between West Trenton, New Jersey, and Center City Philadelphia. For teams that live across Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, and nearby New Jersey, a suburban office with free parking can make the commute shorter and more predictable than a trip downtown.

Is a Trevose office the right move?

It can be a strong fit if:

  • Most of your team lives in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Northeast Philadelphia, or New Jersey.
  • You meet clients in person and want a professional setting with easy parking.
  • You want room to grow without committing to a long-term lease.
  • Your business and your tax advisor agree that a location outside the city makes sense for your situation.

It may not be the right choice if most of your customers are walk-ins in Center City, or if your team relies entirely on transit lines that don’t serve Trevose.

Workspace options at Sentient Workspace

Sentient Workspace is located at 1000 Northbrook Drive in Trevose, inside the Northbrook Corporate Center. Businesses can choose from several setups:

  • Private offices for individuals and small teams who need a door that closes.
  • Coworking for professionals who want a productive place to work a few days a week.
  • Meeting rooms you can book when you need to meet clients or your team in person.
  • Virtual offices with a professional business address, mail handling, and phone answering.

Memberships include fast internet, on-site support, 24/7 secured access, complimentary coffee and snacks, printing and scanning, and free parking. For more on what the area offers growing teams, read Coworking in the Philadelphia Suburbs: Why Trevose Works for Growing Teams.

Frequently asked questions

Does moving my office outside Philadelphia eliminate Philadelphia taxes?

Not automatically. Philadelphia residents owe the Wage Tax wherever they work, and a business outside the city can still owe BIRT if it meets the city’s nexus rules, such as $100,000 in Philadelphia receipts. A tax professional can tell you how the rules apply to your business.

Is Sentient Workspace accessible by train?

Trevose station on SEPTA’s West Trenton Line serves the area. Check SEPTA’s schedules for current service and plan for the last stretch to the office.

Can I use Sentient Workspace as my business address?

Yes. A virtual office provides a professional business address in Trevose along with mail handling.

Come see it in person

If a location just outside the city could work for your team, the next step is a visit. Schedule a tour and we’ll show you the private offices, coworking areas, and meeting rooms.

More from the blog