Every five years, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue undertakes a comprehensive review of its strategic plan. Find out more about DOR's new 2026-2030 strategic plan.

Earlier this year, I was grateful to receive an invitation to speak at the PICPA’s annual meeting in Bedford Springs, Pa. This was an important opportunity to meet face-to-face with PICPA members from all across Pennsylvania and cover some of the important work taking place at the Department of Revenue (DOR) that impacts CPAs and Pennsylvania taxpayers.

One key topic that I previewed was our agency’s work on an updated strategic plan. I’m pleased to report that our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan was recently released, marking an important milestone on many fronts.

First and foremost, our strategic plan serves as a clear roadmap for our department, providing mission-driven goals and measurable objectives that will help us meet the needs of state government and the citizens we serve. By setting these goals and objectives, we are building trust and credibility while reinforcing DOR’s critical mission and commitment to serving the public.

Our strategic plan also strengthens the department’s long‑standing commitment to transparency and accountability. By publicly setting defined objectives and articulating measurable standards for our work, the plan helps our workforce to focus efforts where they matter most. In turn, this helps us uphold the high standards that Pennsylvania taxpayers, as well as CPAs, expect from our agency.

Laying the Groundwork

Every five years, DOR undertakes a comprehensive review of our strategic plan to ensure that our priorities reflect the evolving needs of the Commonwealth and its citizens. We use this opportunity to set the tone and direction for the agency, shaping our internal operations across every bureau. This recurring review of the strategic plan allows us to reevaluate and establish clear goals grounded in shared mission, values, and measurable outcomes.

For this cycle’s review, employees within our agency’s Bureau of Process Reinvention, Innovation, and Strategic Management (PRISM) led a detailed examination of our prior 2020–2025 Strategic Plan. They also established working groups comprising employees from many different areas of our agency. Through that collaboration, our new plan took shape and set a vision for our path forward.

Our new plan focuses on several key goals:

• Enhance operations by using data to make informed business decisions and by promoting a sustainable lean culture.
• Improve the customer experience.
• Instill public confidence.
• Cultivate a human-centered workplace.
• Develop our workforce for current and future growth.
• Promote voluntary tax compliance and program participation through education and service.
• Improve tax and lottery systems while enhancing services for customers.
• Strengthen lottery sales and maximize profits to benefit older Pennsylvanians.

These goals touch every facet of our operations and are designed to ensure that every employee’s role within our organization is represented, and all taxpayers receive the assistance and attention they deserve. These long-term objectives are also the priorities that will guide new initiatives, process improvements, and enhanced customer service practices, including for CPAs.

We look forward to continuing our efforts to support PICPA members and help them be in the best position possible to serve their clients.

Pat Browne, Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue, has had a long career in public service, including nearly three decades as an elected official in the Pennsylvania legislature. Prior to being elected to public office, Browne worked as a CPA and attorney.

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Statements of fact and opinion are the author's responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA's officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.