What is the Homestead Exemption?

• The Homestead Exemption offers Real Estate Tax savings to all Philadelphia homeowners by reducing the taxable portion of their property assessment by $30,000 (exemption amount may be subject to change), starting in Tax Year 2014.
  
  • For more details, read the Homestead Brochure.
    • español (Spanish) Homestead Brochure
    • 中国的 (Chinese) Homestead Brochure

Who is eligible?

• You must simply own the property and live in it as your primary residence. There are no other requirements.

How do I apply?

• NEW: Apply over the phone! Call the Homestead Hotline at 215-686-9200 and you can easily apply in minutes. Language access services are also available to apply over the phone in numerous languages.

• Or apply online. 
• Or print a blank Homestead Exemption application
  • Print a blank español (Spanish) Homestead application
  • Print a blank 中国的 (Chinese) Homestead application

To receive the Homestead Exemption for Tax Year 2014, applications must be received by September 13, 2013 (newly-extended deadline). Once you are approved, you will get the Exemption every year, unless you move or the deed to your property changes.

Was your Homestead application denied?

If you applied for the Homestead Exemption and received a letter explaining why it was not approved, you may still be eligible. Depending on why the application was not approved, here are the next steps:

• INCOMPLETE – One of the required questions on the application was not answered. If your application was incomplete, you may reapply by phone at 215-686-9200, online or submit a new paper application.

• OWNER MISMATCH – The name of the property owner in the OPA's records for the property did not match the name listed on your application. In the event that you claim ownership of a property that is your primary residence, pay utility bills for that property, etc., but the deed has another name listed as the owner (perhaps a relative who owned the property, but is now deceased), this is referred to as a 'Tangled Title'.
  
  • To reapply, you must submit a new Homestead application and an Affidavit, as well as other documentation. Get the full details of what you need to submit in the 'Tangled Title' blog post.

• NO ADDRESS/ACCOUNT NUMBER FOUND – The OPA did not have a record for the address or account number listed on your application. A new Homestead application should be submitted with correct information. If you have a question about your property information, contact the OPA at 215-686-9200 or look it up.

• RENTAL/CO-OP – City records indicate that this property may be a co-op or a rental, and not a primary residence. Co-op properties submit a single application for the entire property; individual units do not need to apply. Contact your co-op building management to determine whether they have applied. If the property IS your primary residence and is not a co-op or rental, you may reapply by phone at 215-686-9200, online, or submit a new paper application.

• NOT PRIMARY RESIDENCE – You have indicated that the property is not your primary residence and/or the property is used for something other than residential purposes. If you claim another property as your primary residence–and because no one can have more than one primary residence at a time–the Homestead Exemption cannot be granted. Additionally, if the property is used as a rental that is not owner-occupied or is used 100% for non-residential purposes, the Homestead Exemption cannot be granted. If the property IS your only primary residence, you may reapply by phone at 215-686-9200, online, or submit a new paper application.

Additional questions? Call the Homestead Hotline at 215-686-9200 (TTY – 215-525-5010).

Changes to Your Property?

• If you need to cancel your Homestead Exemption because your property no longer qualifies, you must notify the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) within 45 days of the change.

• Or if you need to change the percentage of your property used for something other than your primary residence, such as a business or rental property, you must also notify the OPA.

Complete the Homestead Exemption Removal/Change form for either purpose.

Co-op Properties

For cooperative (co-op) properties (when people own and operate the building where they live, but do not own individual units—forming a cooperative corporation), in addition to submitting a single Homestead Exemption application (one per OPA account number), a Homestead Exemption Co-op form must also be submitted. This form must be signed by an owner-occupant from each eligible unit. Contact the OPA at 215-686-9200 to request this form.