Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Clearfield County

Property taxes in Clearfield County are determined by two primary factors: the assessed value of your property and the total millage rate levied by your taxing jurisdictions. The assessment process is based on the county’s established base-year value. The County Assessment Office determines the market value of your property, which is then multiplied by the county’s predetermined common level ratio to arrive at the assessed value used for taxation.

The total millage rate is the sum of three distinct levies: the county tax, the local municipal tax (borough or township), and the school district tax. One mill represents $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Because these rates are set independently by each governing body, your total tax burden is a reflection of the combined financial requirements of your local school board, municipal council, and the Clearfield County Commissioners.

Available Exemptions

Pennsylvania offers several programs to help property owners reduce their tax burden. Eligibility often depends on residency status and income levels:

• Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion: This provides a reduction in the assessed value of a primary residence, which lowers the school district property tax burden for eligible homeowners.
• Senior Citizens Property Tax & Rent Rebate: Administered by the state, this program provides rebates to Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older, widows aged 50 and older, and people with disabilities aged 18 and older who meet specific income guidelines.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Honorably discharged veterans who are 100% permanently disabled due to a service-connected injury 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 the spring. In Clearfield County, the tax collection cycle generally follows a tiered discount and penalty structure:

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

Failure to pay taxes by the end of the calendar year may result in the account being turned over to the Clearfield County Tax Claim Bureau, which can lead to additional interest, administrative fees, 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 an appeal. The process begins with the Clearfield County Board of Assessment Appeals. You must file a formal appeal application, typically between the date of your assessment notice and the annual deadline (usually in late summer). You will be required to provide evidence, such as recent appraisals or documentation of comparable sales in your neighborhood, to support your claim for a valuation adjustment.