Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Armstrong County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Armstrong County

In Armstrong County, property taxes are determined by a combination of the property’s assessed value and the local millage rates set by taxing authorities. The assessed value is calculated by multiplying the property's market value by the county’s established predetermined ratio. Once this assessed value is determined, it is multiplied by the millage rate—the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value—set annually by the County Commissioners, local school districts, and municipal governments (boroughs or townships). Because these three entities levy taxes independently, your total tax bill is the sum of these separate levies.

Available Exemptions

Pennsylvania offers several programs to help homeowners reduce their tax burdens. Eligibility varies by program, and residents are encouraged to apply through the appropriate county or state offices:

• Homestead Exclusion: This provides tax relief to homeowners by excluding a portion of the assessed value of their primary residence from school district property taxes.
• Senior Citizen Tax Relief: The state-run Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides rebates to eligible seniors (65+), widows/widowers (50+), and individuals with disabilities (18+).
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Honorably discharged veterans who are 100% permanently disabled due to service-connected injuries may qualify for a full exemption from real estate taxes on their primary residence.
• Clean and Green (Act 319): This program offers preferential tax assessments for land used for agricultural, forest, or open space purposes, rather than its fair market value for development.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property tax bills are typically mailed in the spring, with specific deadlines established to encourage timely payment. Most jurisdictions follow a tiered schedule:

• Discount Period: Payments made within the first two months of the bill date are often eligible for a 2% discount.
• Face Period: Payments made after the discount period but before the final deadline are paid at the "face" or base amount.
• Penalty Period: Payments received after the final deadline are subject to a penalty, typically 10%.

If taxes remain unpaid after the end of the calendar year, they are considered delinquent and may be turned over to the Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau, which can result in additional interest, costs, and potential tax sale proceedings.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s assessed value does not accurately reflect its fair market value, you have the right to file a formal appeal with the Armstrong County Board of Assessment Appeals. The process generally requires submitting a formal application during the designated filing window, typically early in the calendar year. You will need to provide evidence to support your claim, such as recent appraisals, documentation of comparable property sales in your neighborhood, or photographs of structural deficiencies. After your application is submitted, you will be scheduled for a hearing where the Board will review the evidence before issuing a final decision on your assessment.