Homestead/Farmstead Tax Relief Act of 2006

Tax Relief Act of 2006 (Homestead/Farmstead)

The Taxpayer Relief Act special session Act 1 of 2006 was signed into law by Governor Rendell on June 27, 2006. Act 1 requires each school district to appoint a tax study commission to make a non binding recommendation regarding additional earned income tax or a personal income tax to fund homestead/ farmstead exclusions. As part of the 2007 primary election, a referendum question was approved to levy, assess, and collect on earned income tax or a personal income tax to fund the homestead / farmstead exclusions. Act 1 also provides school districts the means to lower property taxes by using the funding that may be provided using gaming revenues.

Timeline for Applications

The Taxpayer Relief Act Homestead / Farmstead applications (PDF) will be mailed to all non approved eligible property owners by December 31 of each calendar year. The deadline for property owners to apply with the County Assessment Office is March 1 of each year. There is no application fee for filing. All applicants will be notified by the County Assessment Office within 30 days upon receipt of their application regarding the status of their application. An owner aggrieved by the decision of the Chief Assessor may request an appeal to the board for a review of the decision in a manner consistent with the provisions for the appeals under the fourth- through eighth-class counties assessment law. In subsequent years every eligible property that has not responded will receive an application at least 60 days prior to the March 1 deadline.

Homestead/Farmstead assessed value reduction amounts by School District (PDF)