Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Philadelphia County

In Philadelphia, property taxes are determined by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA). Each year, the OPA establishes an Actual Market Value for every property based on current real estate market trends. Your tax bill is calculated by multiplying this assessment by the city’s established tax rate, known as the millage rate. For the current fiscal year, the Philadelphia property tax rate is 1.3998%. Of this total, 0.7681% is allocated to the City of Philadelphia, while 0.6317% is designated for the School District of Philadelphia. Because the OPA conducts periodic reassessments to align valuations with market conditions, your tax obligation may shift if your property’s assessed value changes.

Available Exemptions

Philadelphia offers several programs to help homeowners reduce their tax burden. These exemptions must be applied for and, in some cases, renewed annually:

• Homestead Exemption: Available to all Philadelphia homeowners who use their property as their primary residence. This exemption reduces the taxable portion of your property’s assessment by a set amount, currently $80,000.
• Longtime Owner-Occupants Program (LOOP): Designed for homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years and have experienced a significant spike in their property assessment.
• Senior Citizen Tax Freeze: Low-income seniors (age 65 or older) may qualify to have their real estate tax bill frozen at the amount paid during the year they first became eligible, protecting them from future tax increases.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Veterans who have a 100% permanent service-connected disability, as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, may be eligible for a full exemption from real estate taxes.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Real estate taxes in Philadelphia are due annually on March 31. While the city does not offer a traditional quarterly installment plan for all taxpayers, homeowners can participate in the Monthly Installment Program if they meet specific criteria, such as being seniors or those facing financial hardship. It is critical to meet the March 31 deadline; failure to pay on time results in the accrual of interest at a rate of 1.5% per month (18% annually). Furthermore, persistent delinquency may lead to the city filing a tax lien against your property or, in extreme cases, the initiation of a sheriff’s sale to recover unpaid taxes.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s market value is inaccurate or higher than similar properties in your neighborhood, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process begins with the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT). You must file a formal appeal, typically between early October and the first Monday in October of the preceding year. During the hearing, you should provide evidence to support your claim, such as recent appraisals, photos of property conditions, or sales data of comparable homes in your area. If you remain dissatisfied with the BRT’s decision, you may further appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.