Philadelphia Property Tax [2024] 💰 | Philadelphia Property Tax Rate, Tax Records, How to Pay & More (2024)

Last Updated on: 22nd February 2024, 07:59 pm

Thinking about purchasing a new home in Philadelphia? In addition to researching mortgage interest rates, down payment costs, and local neighborhoods, one of the most critical considerations for many Philadelphians to make is how much you can expect to pay in Philadelphia property tax. Since property tax rates can vary significantly from city to city, what you’re paying now may be very different from what you’ll owe in Philadelphia.

Thankfully, you can get all of your property tax-related questions answered in advance – including how to pay, what you’ll owe, real estate tax bills, when taxes are due each year, and much more. Discover all that you need to know about Philadelphia property taxes in our comprehensive guide!

Philadelphia Property Taxes

All homeowners in Philadelphia (aside from those who have qualifying exemptions as described below) will receive a yearly property tax bill. All property tax-related activities are handled through the City of Philadelphia.

City of Philadelphia — Property and Real Estate Taxes

The City of Philadelphia is responsible for all things related to Philadelphia property taxes and property values. Payments, assessments, appeals, and more are all handled through this office.

• Collects real estate taxes for all Philadelphia properties
• Accepts applications for Philadelphia property tax exemptions
• Reviews and grants all property tax exemptions
• Issue fees if Philadelphia property taxes remain unpaid
• Processes submitted property tax appeals
• Provides real estate tax relief for those who need it

Individuals who are looking to visit the City of Philadelphia Property Tax offices in person can stop by the following location:

• City of Philadelphia Property Tax Office, 601 Walnut St. Suite 300 W., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-686-4334.

The easiest way to get answers to all of your specific Philadelphia real estate taxes questions is to call their office number or visit their website. The vast majority of the information you’ll need is found on their online resources page, including a real estate tax bills lookup feature, realty tax transfer information, and forms for tax relief.

Philadelphia Property Tax Rate

Calculating your real estate taxes year-to-year isn’t always a straightforward process for Philadelphia homeowners. However, when you know where to look, there are easy ways to calculate your individual taxes as a property owner. Want to know where to start? Check out this breakdown of variables and figures used to determine your Philadelphia property taxes.

How Are Property Taxes Calculated in Philadelphia?

The City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia are responsible for determining the annual property tax rate for Philly homeowners. This rate can (and often does) change from year-to-year. Once the yearly property tax rate is set by both parties, bills are generated for Philadelphia homeowners with the amount that they owe for that year. This is true for all properties in Philadelphia that are subject to being taxed.

How Much Are Property Taxes in Philadelphia?

When determining the principal amount of your real estate tax bills, you’ll need to consider assessed property values. The assessed value, combined with the tax rates, will determine how much you will pay in real estate taxes each year. This was the formula and tax rates that were used for the 2022 tax year for all residential properties in Philadelphia:

0.6317% (City) + 0.7681% (School District) = 1.3998% (total)

What does this calculation mean? Based on what the city and school district decided that they needed for their budget, a combined figure of 1.3998% was generated as the effective tax rate for the tax year. To estimate what you’d owe in the 2022 tax year on your property, you’d calculate 1.3998% of your assessed value through a property assessment. The value of your property depends on many factors, such as the median home price in the city, the square footage of your home, your home’s full market value, recent sales in the area, and whether or not your house is new construction. After the property assessment, you may determine your final tax bills.

Assessed values are often different from the price you paid for your home, and can be obtained from the city property tax office. Please keep in mind that this figure is for 2022 only, and higher tax bills are likely to arise in the coming years. If you are in doubt of what the current tax year’s assessed value is, be sure to check the City of Philadelphia’s official website.

Philadelphia Tax Resources

The City of Philadelphia has a robust set of offerings for homeowners and property owners in the area. Without ever having to call, email, or come into the city’s office, you can accomplish a wide variety of to-dos — including finding what you owe, understanding taxable value, finding sales data, checking state law, paying your bill, applying for exemption programs, and much more!

Hands down, one of the best places to visit when looking for answers to your property tax questions is the online Philadelphia Tax Center. This hub of tools and information makes it easy to accomplish virtually anything you need to. All new residents in any Philadelphia county must sign up for an online account. Registering as a taxpayer is simple and only takes a few minutes. Once you’ve relocated to Philadelphia, you can register for your account here.

After creating an account with the City of Philadelphia, you have the option to make your real estate payment online. You also have the option to respond to a mailed letter from the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, request and check the status of a property tax refund, and to request a real estate tax clearance certificate. For those who cannot pay their property taxes on time, or for those who need a payment arrangement, you also have the option to apply for special tax credit programs, payment agreements, and pay past due real estate tax balances online. These flexible options take the stress out of having to pay a large bill at one time. If your taxes remain unpaid, you may suffer serious financial consequences.

Finally, the online Philadelphia Tax Center has a long list of resources and FAQs that are available in both Spanish and English. This makes it quick and easy to get answers to all of the questions you have, even after the business office has closed for the day.

Philadelphia Property Tax Payments – Due Dates & How to Pay Your Tax Bill

Looking for a complete breakdown of how to pay your Philadelphia property taxes? If you’ve recently become a Philadelphia homeowner or are planning to become one in the next year, check out must-know dates and details. Every year, Philadelphia property taxes are to be paid by March 31st. Property tax bills, which are sent by the Department of Revenue, are mailed out in December. This gives homeowners plenty of time to plan and budget for this expense, file an appeal, schedule a Philadelphia office visit, or file for a special payment arrangement. The amount you are charged is assessed by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA). Once the Office of Property Assessment decides on the value, you will receive a bill with the principal amount.

There are a variety of ways for homeowners to pay their Philadelphia property taxes on time. Many homeowners who still have mortgage payments utilize their escrow account to make yearly property tax payments on their taxable properties. As a convenience, many mortgage companies submit this payment for you automatically, with no action required on your part. Ideally, this is the best arrangement for making your payments before the March 31st deadline, as your mortgage company handles everything for you.

If your property taxes are not automatically handled through your mortgage company, the easiest and most time-efficient way to submit payment for the taxable portion of your real estate is online. Residents can do this through their City of Philadelphia online account on the Philadelphia Tax Center portal. First, you will be prompted to enter your physical address or your Office of Property Assessment (OPA) number. Next, you can submit your payment through the “Search for a property” link, which is located on the Tax Center’s front page (found under “Property”).

Prefer an alternative method of payment? This City of Philadelphia offers multiple methods for the convenience of local homeowners. For those who prefer to mail via mail, you can do so with a check or money order. Your property tax payment must be accompanied by a payment voucher, which can be printed out on the Philadelphia Tax Center online portal. Additionally, it is recommended that individuals paying by check write the tax type and account number on the check they are sending.

All payments by mail should be sent to the following address:

Philadelphia Dept. of Revenue

P.O. Box 8409

Philadelphia, PA 19101-8409

Two other methods of submitting your Philadelphia property tax payment are in-person and by phone. Checks and money orders are accepted for in-person real estate tax payments, which are accepted at three authorized payment centers. Find your closest in-person payment center and open hours. Phone payments can be made by calling (877) 309-3710.

What are the consequences of not paying your Philadelphia property taxes on time? Additional charges are added to your bill depending on how long the bill remains unpaid. A late fee of 1.5% per month is added starting on April 1st of the year. If your real estate tax is not paid as of January 1st of the next year, the following can happen:

• 15% maximum addition is added to your principal tax balance
• Taxes formally enter delinquent status
• A lien is filed for the amount of the total delinquency against your home
• The City of Philadelphia has the authority at this stage to start the process of selling your home at a sheriff sale

Philadelphia Property Search/Tax Records

Real estate tax records in the City of Philadelphia are public, making it easy to find the info you need on any property. As a result of this transparency, locals can look up how much in real estate taxes are owed on any property using this online tool. Having the ability to plan for this expense in advance is super valuable for area locals. The tool is also great in the event that you lose your mailed bill.

Philadelphia Property Tax Exemptions

The City of Philadelphia provides a number of tax exemptions, tax credit, and discount programs for area homeowners. The vast majority of these programs are for eligible homeowners who can provide proof of making a low household income and for those who are senior citizens. In addition to these eligible homeowners, you may be eligible for a special tax credit that can be decided on by the city council throughout the assessment process.

Some of the most widely used Philadelphia property tax exemptions and discount programs include the low-income senior citizen Real Estate Tax freeze, the Real Estate Tax deferral program, owner-occupied Real Estate Tax payment agreement (OOPA), the Homestead Exemption, and tax credits for Active Duty Reserve and National Guard Members. Other tax credit programs and discounts are listed on the City of Philadelphia property tax page. If eligible, you can apply for these tax credit programs online.

Philadelphia Property Tax Appeals

What should you do if you spot an inaccuracy (e.g., an estimated property market value that is too high or too low for the current tax year) on your Philadelphia property tax bill? You can go online to the City of Philadelphia website to fill out the necessary property tax appeal forms to let them know the issue (inaccurate market value or property value for the current tax year, etc). Your appeal may go before the city council before being resolved.

Philadelphia Property Tax FAQ

When Are Property Taxes Due in Philadelphia?

Homeowners are required to pay their property tax bill in full each year by March 31st. If a homeowner cannot pay on time, they must apply for a payment arrangement, payment exemption, or consider a tax credit if applicable.

How Do I Pay My Property Taxes in Philadelphia?

The City of Philadelphia provides a number of convenient and easy ways to pay your property taxes. You can pay the full value online, in person at an authorized payment center, by mail, or by phone. Many times, mortgage companies will automatically pay your property tax bill from your escrow funds.

When Are Philadelphia Tax Bills Mailed?

Philadelphia property tax bills for the current year are sent out in December to be paid by March 31.

How Do I Search For Property Taxes in Philadelphia?

You can look up your property tax bill on the Philadelphia Tax Center website.

Are There Any Real Estate Tax Assistance Programs?

Certainly, there are plenty of assistance options for senior citizens, low-income homeowners, and more. These are the options available to you.

• Homestead Exemption
• Owner-occupied Real Estate Tax Payment Agreement (OOPA)
• Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP)
• Senior Citizen Tax Freeze
• Active Duty Tax Credit

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