City property tax relief program extended

A citywide tax relief program has been extended to allow more people to apply.

The Homestead Exemption program had an initial deadline of Sep. 13. But Mayor Nutter announced Friday that the Office of Property Assessment would push the deadline through Dec. 1.

The homestead exemption, which was created in 2013 to provide some relief in the post Actual Value Initiative era, deducts $30,000 from the assessment of an owner-occupied home before the tax rate is applied. A home worth $100,000 would be taxed on only $70,000 of its value. AVI was the massive overhaul of the way Philadelphia assesses properties for tax purposes completed in 2013.

"To ensure that every eligible Philadelphian has the opportunity to apply for the Homestead Exemption and receive this important tax relief, the Office of Property Assessment will continue to accept applications," Nutter said in a statement Friday.

Only primary residences are eligible for the program, even if they are tax delinquent. There are no age or income level restrictions for the homestead exemption.

Property owners who received the $30,000 homestead deduction last year do not need to reapply, Nutter's office said. The homestead exemption remains attached to a property until the property is sold or the deed changes.

For information on the homestead program, click HERE.

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