Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Blair County

Property taxes in Blair County are determined by two primary factors: the assessed value of your property and the millage rates set by local taxing authorities. The Blair County Assessment Office determines the assessed value, which is based on the property's fair market value multiplied by the county’s established predetermined ratio. This assessment ensures that the tax burden is distributed equitably across all property owners.

The total tax bill you receive is the sum of three distinct levies: the county tax, the municipal (city, borough, or township) tax, and the school district tax. Each of these entities sets its own millage rate annually. A "mill" represents $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. To calculate your estimated annual tax, you multiply your property's assessed value by the combined millage rates of your respective jurisdictions.

Available Exemptions

Pennsylvania offers several programs designed to provide relief to eligible homeowners. While some are statewide mandates, specific application processes may be managed locally in Blair County:

• Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion: This provides a reduction in the assessed value of your primary residence, which in turn lowers your school district property tax bill.
• Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate: Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is available to residents aged 65 and older, widows and widowers aged 50 and older, and people with disabilities aged 18 and older who meet specific income requirements.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Honorably discharged veterans who are 100% permanently disabled due to service-connected injuries may be eligible for a full exemption from real estate taxes on their primary residence.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property tax bills are typically mailed in early spring. Most jurisdictions in Blair County follow a structured payment schedule to encourage timely collection:

• Discount Period: Payments made within the first two months of the billing date usually qualify for a 2% discount.
• Face Value: Payments made during the following two-month window are due at the standard "face" amount.
• Penalty Period: After the face period concludes, a penalty—often 10%—is added to the total due.

Failure to pay by the end of the calendar year may result in the taxes being turned over to the Blair County Tax Claim Bureau, which can lead to additional fees, interest accrual, and, in extreme cases, the potential for tax sale proceedings.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s assessed value is inaccurate or does not reflect fair market value, you have the right to file an appeal with the Blair County Board of Assessment Appeals. The appeal process generally occurs during a designated window each year, usually concluding by early fall. You must provide evidence to support your claim, such as recent appraisals, documentation of comparable property sales in your neighborhood, or evidence of structural defects. Once an appeal is filed, a hearing will be scheduled where you can present your case to the Board.