Jackson Township will consider waiving its business privilege tax due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus at a virtual supervisors meeting Thursday.

The tax came in effect in 2019, and charges $800 to any business with more than $150,000 in gross receipts and which primarily performs services or sells products within the township.

While business owners in the township rallied against the tax after it was first charged, the board did not relent. But, after Gov. Tom Wolf's order to close all non-essential businesses, supervisors decided waiving the tax was the best way to give the owners a break.

“There's too many businesses that are struggling to start with,” said Supervisor Jay Grinnell, board chairman. “The township will get along fine. People are making enough sacrifices.”

If approved, the move would suspend the tax for the 2020 tax year only, and would return in 2021.

The township will also consider declaring a municipal disaster emergency, according to the meeting agenda, which would give the township the ability to conduct administrative actions without following standard protocol, such as entering into contracts without going through the bidding process.

Such a declaration would also make Jackson eligible for federal and state disaster relief funds, should they become available.

The meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday. Information on accessing the meeting can be found online at Jackson-Township.com.