Pennsylvania § 139 - Tax clearance of certain fundamental transactions.
Full text of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 139 — Tax clearance of certain fundamental transactions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 139. Tax clearance of certain fundamental transactions.
(a) Requirement.--Except as provided in subsection (c) or (d), clearance certificates from the Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor and Industry, evidencing the payment by the association of all taxes and charges due the Commonwealth required by law, must be delivered to the department for filing when any of the following is delivered to the department for filing:
(1) Articles or a statement or certificate of merger merging a domestic association into a nonregistered foreign association.
(2) Articles or a statement or certificate of conversion or domestication effecting a conversion or domestication of a domestic association into a nonregistered foreign association.
(3) Articles of dissolution, a certificate of dissolution or termination or a statement of revival of a domestic association.
(4) An application for termination of registration, statement of withdrawal or similar document by a registered foreign association.
(5) Articles or a statement or certificate of division dividing a domestic association solely into foreign associations.
(b) Tax clearance in judicial proceedings.--Until the clearance certificates described in subsection (a) have been filed with the court:
(1) The court shall not order the dissolution of a domestic business corporation, nonprofit corporation or business trust.
(2) The court shall not approve a final distribution of the assets of a domestic general partnership, limited partnership, electing partnership or limited liability company if the court is supervising the winding up of the association.
(c) Exceptions.--It shall not be necessary to file tax clearance certificates with the Department of State:
(1) If clearance certificates are filed with the court as required under subsection (b).
(2) With articles of dissolution under section 1971 (relating to voluntary dissolution by shareholders or incorporators) or 5971 (relating to voluntary dissolution by members or incorporators).
(3) With a certificate of dissolution under section 8482(b)(2)(i) (relating to winding up and filing of certificates).
(4) With a certificate of termination under section 8681.1 (relating to voluntary termination by partners).
(5) With a certificate of dissolution under section 8872(b)(2)(i) (relating to winding up and filing of certificates).
(6) With a certificate of termination under section 8878 (relating to voluntary termination by members or organizers).
(d) Registration of foreign associations.--It shall not be necessary to deliver clearance certificates under subsection (a) if, simultaneously with the delivery of the articles, statement or certificate of merger, conversion, division or domestication:
(1) the foreign association that is the surviving, converted or domesticated association registers to do business in this Commonwealth; or
(2) at least one of the new foreign associations resulting from the division registers to do business in this Commonwealth.
(Dec. 7, 1994, P.L.703, No.106, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2001, P.L.418, No.34, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2640, No.172, eff. July 1, 2015; Nov. 21, 2016, P.L.1328, No.170, eff. 90 days; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1791, No.122, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Act 122 amended subsec. (c)(2).
2016 Amendment. Act 170 amended subsecs. (a) and (c).
2014 Amendment. Act 172 amended subsec. (a) and added subsec. (d).
Cross References. Section 139 is referred to in sections 135, 335, 355, 366, 375, 415, 417, 1341, 1977, 1989, 5341, 5977, 5989, 8482, 8682, 8872 of this title; section 1305 of Title 17 (Credit Unions).
Source: official Pennsylvania text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania § 139
What does Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 139 cover?
Section 139 ("Tax clearance of certain fundamental transactions.") is part of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the codified statutory law of Pennsylvania. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Pennsylvania § 139?
A common citation format is "Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 139" (Pennsylvania). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Pennsylvania law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Pennsylvania official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
How does Pennsylvania § 139 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.