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 to make is how much you can expect to pay in property taxes. 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, 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. Payments, assessments, appeals, and more are all handled through this office.
- Collects taxes for all Philadelphia properties
- Accepts applications for property tax exemptions
- Reviews and grants all property tax exemptions
- Issues late fees for past due Philadelphia property taxes
- 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 tax 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 property tax balance lookup feature, realty tax transfer information, and forms for tax relief.
Philadelphia Property Tax Rate
Calculating your property tax balance year-to-year isn’t always a straightforward process. However, when you know where to look, there are easy ways to calculate your individual property taxes.
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. 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 each city homeowner 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?
This was the formula and 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. To figure out what you’d owe in the 2022 tax year on your property, you’d calculate 1.3998% of your assessed property value. The assessed property value is 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 is likely to increase in the coming years. If you are in doubt of what the current tax year’s assessed rate 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 home 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, paying your bill, applying for exemptions, 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 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 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 programs, payment agreements, and pay past due balances online. These flexible options take the stress out of having to pay a large bill at one time.
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 on how to pay your Philadelphia property taxes? If you’ve recently become a Philadehlpia homeowner, or are planning to become one in the next year, check out must-know dates and details. Every year, Philadelphia property taxes are due on March 31st. Property tax bills, which are sent by the Department of Revenue, are mailed out in December. This gives residents plenty of time to plan and budget for this expense, or to file for a special payment arrangement. The amount you are charged is assessed by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA).
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. 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.
If your property taxes are not automatically handled through your mortgage company, the easiest and most time-efficient way to submit payment 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 frontpage (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 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 property taxes are 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
Property 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 exemption and discount programs for area homeowners. The vast majority of these programs are for individuals who can provide proof of making a low-income, and for those who are senior citizens.
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 programs and discounts are listed on the City of Philadelphia property tax page. If eligible, you can apply for these 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) 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.
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 or payment exemption.
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 amount owed 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.
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