realestate

City Debuts Combined App for Real Estate Tax Aid

Philadelphia launches app merging five real‑estate tax aid programs.

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hiladelphia has introduced a bilingual portal that consolidates five real‑estate tax relief programs into one streamlined application. The project, a partnership between the Department of Revenue, the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer and the Office of Innovation and Technology, is part of the City’s Better Services PHL initiative launched by Mayor Parker’s Executive Order 2‑24.

    The unified form merges the Homestead Exemption, Long‑Term Owner‑Occupant Program (LOOP), Senior and Low‑Income Real‑Estate Tax Freeze, and the Real‑Estate Tax Installment Plan. Although each program has its own eligibility criteria and deadlines, the single application lets residents quickly see which benefits they qualify for and cuts back on paperwork, city officials said.

    “By combining these applications into one, we’re making it easier for homeowners to get the tax relief they are entitled to,” said Kathleen McColgan, Revenue Commissioner. “We know nearly 80 % of homeowners are taking advantage of Real Estate programs for which they are eligible… creating a more streamlined application process will improve participation and reduce that gap.”

    Homeowners can start the application by entering their property address on the Property Panel of the Philadelphia Tax Center at tax‑services.phila.gov. The portal is mobile‑friendly and available in Spanish.

    **Program highlights**

    * **Homestead Exemption** – Lowers assessed value by $100,000, saving on taxes. No age or income limits. More info: phila.gov/homestead.

    * **Low‑Income Tax Freeze** – Keeps the tax bill the same each year. Requires proof of income, identity and residence. More info: phila.gov/tax‑freeze.

    * **Senior Citizen Tax Freeze** – Keeps the tax bill the same each year, frozen at the lowest amount from the first eligible year. Requires proof of age and income. More info: phila.gov/tax‑freeze.

    * **LOOP** – Caps assessed value and limits future increases. Requires significant assessment hikes, at least ten years of ownership, and income limits. More info: phila.gov/loop.

    * **Installment Plan** – Allows payment of current taxes in installments. All seniors qualify regardless of income; income limits apply to those under 65. Requires proof of age for all and proof of income for under‑65 applicants. More info: phila.gov/revenue/installment‑plan.

City launches combined app to aid real estate tax payments.