Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Pennsylvania has 4 main property tax relief programs, administered through your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals). Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Standard rebate up to $1,000 based on income: $0–$8,550 = $1,000; $8,551–$16,040 = $770; $16,041–$19,240 = $460; $19,241–$48,110 = $380. A supplemental rebate of $190–$500 is available to homeowners with income of $32,070 or less who pay more than 15% of income in property taxes, or who reside in Philadelphia, Scranton, or Pittsburgh; with the supplement the maximum total rebate reaches $1,500.
Earliest common deadline
March 1
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals). You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals) directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Pennsylvania property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion (Taxpayer Relief Act)Homestead | Varies by school district. A flat dollar reduction in the assessed value of the homestead before school property tax is computed; by law the exclusion may not exceed 50% of the median assessed value of homestead property in the taxing jurisdiction. Relief is funded by state gaming revenue and, in some districts, an approved local income tax; the per-home reduction differs each year and by district. | Property must be the owner's permanent primary residence (domicile). Farmstead exclusion additionally requires a farm of at least ten contiguous acres used for commercial agricultural production and containing the owner's dwelling. | March 1 | Official source ↗53 Pa.C.S. § 8583 (Homestead exclusion, Act 50 of 1998); Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of Special Session 1 of 2006Application for Homestead and Farmstead Exclusions (obtained from your county assessment office; DCED sample form) ↗ |
| Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) — HomeownersTax Credit | Standard rebate up to $1,000 based on income: $0–$8,550 = $1,000; $8,551–$16,040 = $770; $16,041–$19,240 = $460; $19,241–$48,110 = $380. A supplemental rebate of $190–$500 is available to homeowners with income of $32,070 or less who pay more than 15% of income in property taxes, or who reside in Philadelphia, Scranton, or Pittsburgh; with the supplement the maximum total rebate reaches $1,500. | Age 65+ · Alternatively qualifies if age 18 or older and permanently disabled · Income: $48,110 (2025 claim year, indexed annually for inflation; half of Social Security income excluded) · Must own and occupy a home in Pennsylvania as primary residence and have paid property taxes on it. Widows/widowers age 50 or older also qualify. | December 31, 2026 | Official source ↗Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of Special Session 1 of 2006, Chapter 13, 53 P.S. § 6926.1301 et seq., as expanded by Act 7 of 2023Form PA-1000 (Property Tax or Rent Rebate Claim) ↗ |
| Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) — RentersRenter Relief | Standard rebate up to $1,000 based on income: $0–$8,550 = $1,000; $8,551–$16,040 = $770; $16,041–$19,240 = $460; $19,241–$48,110 = $380. The supplemental rebate applies to homeowners rather than renters. | Age 65+ · Alternatively qualifies if age 18 or older and permanently disabled · Income: $48,110 (2025 claim year, indexed annually for inflation; half of Social Security income excluded) · Must rent and occupy a home in Pennsylvania as primary residence. Widows/widowers age 50 or older also qualify. | December 31, 2026 | Official source ↗Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of Special Session 1 of 2006, Chapter 13, 53 P.S. § 6926.1301 et seq., as expanded by Act 7 of 2023Form PA-1000 (Property Tax or Rent Rebate Claim) ↗ |
| Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax ExemptionVeteran | 100% exemption from real estate taxes on the veteran's primary residence and the land on which it stands. | 100% permanent service-connected disability as rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or blindness, paraplegia, or loss of two or more limbs, resulting from wartime military service · Income: Need-based. Effective January 1, 2025 the State Veterans' Commission applies a rebuttable presumption of financial need for applicants with annual income of $114,637 or less (threshold set by the Commission and periodically adjusted); higher-income applicants may still qualify if expenses exceed income. · Dwelling must be owned by the veteran solely or as an estate by the entirety and occupied as the veteran's principal residence. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗51 Pa.C.S. Chapter 89 (Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption); 43 Pa. Code §§ 5.21–5.26Form MA-VA 40 (veteran) or MA-VA 40ss (surviving spouse), with Form MA-VA 41 ↗ |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
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Pennsylvania property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers 4 main property tax relief programs: Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion (Taxpayer Relief Act), Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) — Homeowners, Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) — Renters, Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption. Each is administered through your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals).
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Pennsylvania?
You apply through your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals) — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Pennsylvania property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your County Assessment Office (Board of Assessment Appeals). Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Pennsylvania to other states by relief type
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