Concerned about rising property taxes? Sign up for our Senior Citizen Tax Freeze program to ease your mind and prevent the continued rise of your annual Real Estate Tax bill.
The program, in effect, “freezes” your tax bill at the current amount. That way, your property taxes remain stable and predictable even if your property’s value or tax rate increases in the future. If there’s ever any decrease in your property’s value or tax rate, your bill will get locked in at that (lower) rate.
Now is the time
With the Office of Property Assessment’s new tax assessments out, now is the time to take advantage of this program. But you must meet certain age and income requirements:
- Be 65 years or older and own and live in your Philly home,
- Live in the same household with a spouse who’s 65 years or older,
- Be at least 50 years and the widow or widower of a person who reached age 65 before passing away,
- Have a total annual income of $33,500 or less for a single person; or $41,500 or less for a married couple.
How to apply
Applying for the Senior Tax Freeze program is very easy. Simply complete this two-page application form and return it along with your proof of age. This could be a birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver’s license, social security award letter, or any document that clearly shows a date of birth.
You can drop off your application at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) in center city, across from City Hall, or mail it to:
Philadelphia Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 53190
Philadelphia, PA 19105
The official application deadline for this program is January 31 each year, but we encourage you to apply early by September 13. If you apply early, you will see your approval reflected on your Real Estate Tax bill, which is mailed in December.
If you are approved, you don’t have to reapply—we will automatically enroll you each year. Program participants will only have to reapply if there’s a change to their income or deed (for any reason).
