Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Snyder County

Property taxes in Snyder County are calculated based on two primary factors: the assessed value of your property and the total millage rate. The assessment process is conducted by the County Assessment Office, which determines the "assessed value" by applying a predetermined ratio to the property’s market value. This ensures that all properties are taxed equitably based on their worth.

The millage rate represents the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Your total tax bill is the sum of three distinct levies: the county tax, the local municipal tax (township or borough), and the local school district tax. Each of these entities sets its own millage rate annually based on budgetary requirements. Because school district taxes often constitute the largest portion of your bill, fluctuations in district spending are the primary driver of changes in your total property tax obligation.

Available Exemptions

Pennsylvania offers several programs designed to provide tax relief to qualifying residents. It is important to note that these exemptions must be applied for through the appropriate local 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 Property Tax Rebate: Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (administered by the Department of Revenue) offers rebates to eligible seniors (65+), widows/widowers (50+), and people with disabilities (18+).
• 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.
• Farmstead Exclusion: Similar to the homestead exclusion, this applies to buildings and structures used for commercial agricultural production.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property tax bills are typically mailed in the summer, with the exact timeline varying by municipality. Most jurisdictions in Snyder County follow a tiered payment schedule to encourage timely settlement:

• Discount Period: Payments made within the first two months of the bill issuance are typically eligible for a 2% discount.
• Face Period: After the discount period, the tax is due at the "face" or base amount for a set timeframe.
• Penalty Period: Payments made after the face period deadline are subject to a 10% penalty.

If taxes remain unpaid by the end of the calendar year, they are considered delinquent and are turned over to the Snyder County Tax Claim Bureau, which may lead to additional interest, fees, and eventually the potential for 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. The process begins by filing an application with the Snyder County Board of Assessment Appeals. You must provide evidence to support your claim, such as recent appraisals, sales data of comparable properties in your neighborhood, or documentation regarding structural issues. Appeals must generally be filed by the annual deadline, usually in the summer, to be considered for the current tax year.