If someone stole your home through deed fraud, a new Philadelphia law may help you get some of your money back.

What is this new law?

When criminals steal property through deed fraud, they sometimes pay a tax called “Realty Transfer Tax” to make the transaction look like a legitimate sale.

Before passage of a new law, only the person who paid that tax could request a refund- even if that person committed fraud. This meant victims could not recover that money, even after proving in court that the deed was fake and getting their property back. Victims often spend thousands of dollars on legal fees to get their home back, without any way of recovering those costs.

The new law fixes this problem. Now, if you prove in court that someone stole your property through fraud, you can ask the City to give you back the Realty Transfer Tax that the criminal paid.

Who can get this money back?

You can ask for this refund if:

  1. Someone stole your property by recording a fake deed
  2. A judge ruled the deed was fraudulent
  3. The judge gave you a court order that voids the fake deed
  4. Realty Transfer Tax was actually paid on the fake deed
  5. The court order says the Department of Revenue should give you a refund

How much money can you get back?

Victims can receive a refund for the full amount of Realty Transfer Tax paid, excluding the portion remitted to the state. This won’t cover all your costs, but it can help.

How do you ask for the refund?

If you won your court case and have a court order:

  1. Get a certified copy of your court order
  2. Fill out a refund petition form
  3. Send both documents to the Department of Revenue

Mail your petition to:

City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue

P.O. Box 1137

Philadelphia, PA 19102

You must file within three years from the date the court issued the order. Processing usually takes six to ten weeks.

For questions, email refund.unit@phila.gov or call (215) 686-6574.

What if you think you’re a victim of deed fraud?

If you think someone has stolen your property through deed fraud:

  1. Report it immediately. File a fraud report online or call (215) 686-2290.
  2. Contact the police. Call the Philadelphia Police Department and file a report.
  3. Get legal help. Contact a lawyer or legal aid organization, such as Community Legal Services.
  4. Protect yourself. Sign up for Fraud Guard to get email alerts if documents are recorded with your name.

Once you get a court order saying the deed was fraudulent, you can then ask for the Realty Transfer Tax refund.

Learn More

For more information:

Philadelphia is committed to protecting property owners and supporting victims of fraud.