The Council of the City of Philadelphia finds that:

(1) There are business, economic and tax reasons for entities holding real estate to do business as corporations or associations.

(2) Under Federal, State and City laws, corporations and associations are entities separate from their members, partners, stockholders or shareholders.

(3) Entities holding real estate can effectively transfer equitable ownership in real estate by means other than by deed.

(4) Entities can effectively transfer equitable ownership in real estate by selling corporate stock, selling partnership interests, leasing real estate for a period of time, merging with another entity, or liquidating the entity.
(5) It is the intent of City Council to tax the transfer of the ownership of real estate situate in Philadelphia whether such transfer occurs in fact or equitably being the transfer of stock or shares of an acquired real estate company.