Philadelphia offers property tax assistance programs that can reduce or freeze property taxes for qualifying homeowners, helping them save money on their bills. But sometimes, a homeowner may receive a benefit they no longer qualify for. Maybe you moved out of Philly, added someone to your deed, inherited the benefit from a relative or previous owner, or the property is no longer your primary residence.

The best way to avoid repayment of benefits you were not eligible to receive is to contact the Department of Revenue as soon as you can. Keep reading to learn more:

What assistance programs are available?

Available programs include:

• The Homestead Exemption, which lowers your home’s taxable value. As a result, you pay less in property taxes. It’s a direct dollar discount on your tax bill.
• The Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP), which caps your home’s assessed value, limiting future tax increases if you meet certain requirements.
• The Senior Citizen Tax Freeze, which freezes your bill at the amount from the first year you qualified.
• The Low-Income Tax Freeze, which keeps your bill at the previous year’s amount.

The programs are all income-based, except Homestead. They each have specific eligibility requirements, including income, age, and longevity. You must also live in your Philly home as your primary residence to benefit from these programs.

I’m getting a homeowner’s tax assistance benefit by mistake. What should I do?

Contact the Department of Revenue right away. In some cases, you’ll need to write a letter requesting removal from a program.

Submit a Homestead removal request through the Philadelphia Tax Center if you’re receiving Homestead benefits in error. You should fill out the Low-Income Tax Freeze removal form online if you’re benefiting from this program in error. Follow these steps:

• Select the “Search for a property” link on the Tax Center’s homepage.
• Enter your property address and select the blue hyperlink on the right side of the screen to access the dashboard.
• Pick “Apply for real estate assistance programs,” then select “Exemption removal” to submit a request.

Use this paper form to remove LOOP benefits.

Reporting the issue helps ensure your property tax account is accurate and can prevent unexpected tax bills or repayment of benefits you were not eligible to receive.

What’s a reason I may no longer qualify for a program?

Depending on the program you’re enrolled in, you may become ineligible if:

• Your home’s ownership changed,
• Your income exceeds program limits,
• You moved out of the property, or the property is no longer your primary residence, meaning it’s no longer owner-occupied, OR
• You’re receiving assistance benefits on another property, including properties you co-own.

What should I do if there’s a change in home ownership?

If you no longer own the property, you’ll be automatically removed from all programs when the new ownership records are updated.

Remember, if you add or remove someone from the deed, you must reapply for any tax assistance programs you are enrolled in.

If I’m not sure I qualify for a program, what should I do?

Contact the Department of Revenue as soon as possible. If you’re enrolled in Homestead or LOOP, you should call the Homestead Hotline at (215) 686-9200. For all other programs, call (215) 686-6442. Getting clarification now can help you avoid surprises later.

What happens after I report it?

The Department of Revenue will review your account and determine whether the benefits should be removed or adjusted. If a benefit was received in error, your property tax bill may be updated to reflect the correct amount due.

Keeping your account information up to date helps ensure that property tax assistance benefits are available on the property where you qualify for them.