The answer to this question depends on the following:
If you don't make the full payment of taxes due and you don't file your personal income tax return on time.
A late filing penalty of 5% per month or part of a month (up to 25%) will be added to any return filed after the original due date (or extended due date) if additional tax is due with that return. In addition, interest on any unpaid tax will accrue as long as there is tax outstanding for the tax year.
If you don't make the full payment of taxes due, but you do file your personal income tax return on time.
A late/under payment penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax liability will be added to the amount due for the tax year. In addition, interest on any unpaid tax will accrue as long as there is an outstanding tax liability for the tax year.
NOTE: It is better to file a return without full payment than to not file a return if full payment of the tax due cannot be made with the return. The minimum penalty in either case is 5%. However, a late filing penalty can be as much as 25% of the unpaid taxes. It is better to file and incur the late payment penalty than to not file and possibly incur a 25% penalty.
PA.Gov
