Telephone Town Hall to Discuss Relief Programs Set for Sept. 10

If you own and live in your home as your primary residence within Philadelphia, you can receive the Homestead Exemption – but time is running out! Your property assessment could be lowered by up to $402, saving you money on your property taxes in 2014 – and for many years to come.

To apply (in any language) – or check the status of your application if you already applied – simply call 215-686-9200, or log onto www.phila.gov/opa.

Don’t delay! The deadline to apply is September 13, 2013, to have this applied to your 2014 property taxes.

You can also go to avicalculator.phila.gov to check the status of your application and calculate your 2014 tax bill.

The City of Philadelphia will be hosting a Telephone Town Hall on the subject of real estate taxes, including discussion of the assessment appeals process and tax relief measures, including the Homestead Exemption. The call will take place at 6:45 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and will last for one hour.

You can pre-register for this free event, where listeners will be able to ask questions of City Revenue, Finance and Assessment officials, by calling 215-686-9200 or by visiting www.phila.gov and clicking on the Telephone Town Halls banner.

Other Forms of Tax Relief You or Your Neighbor May Qualify For:

·     Low-Income Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze – Seniors who are eligible (income up to $23,500 for a single person and $31,500 for a married couple) andapply by October 15, 2013, can keep their real estate taxes from increasing, no matter what changes in assessments or tax rates take place in the future.Seniors can have the Homestead Exemption AND the Tax Freeze at the same time—you must simply apply for both programs.

·     Low-Income and Low-Income Senior Citizen Installment Plans – Those who are eligible and apply by March can have their entire year’s tax bill split over monthly payments.

·     Hardship Payment Agreement – Having trouble keeping up with your property taxes?  You could apply for a hardship agreement that would lower payments over a longer period of time.

·     Tax Credit for Active Duty Reserve/National Guard Members on Active Duty Outside Pennsylvania –This plan provides a tax credit for members called to active duty outside Pennsylvania.  Credit applies to primary residence only. Applicants must provide documentary proof to establish eligibility for the credit if requested by the Department of Revenue.

To take advantage of these programs or to get more information, please call the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Revenue at 215-686-6442.

State Programs You or a Neighbor May Also Qualify For:

·     The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program – Open to eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows or widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and over. The income limit is $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters (half of Social Security income is excluded).

For more information or an application, call the Commonwealth’s Philadelphia District Office at 215-560-2056.

·     Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program – A veteran who is disabled due solely to a service-connected reason (or their surviving spouse), and who demonstrates financial need may qualify for a 100% exemption from real estate taxes. Annual household income must not be more than $85,168.

For more information or to request an application, please contact the Philadelphia County Veterans Affairs Director at 215-686-3256.