Pennsylvania Property Tax Calculator 2026

How Pennsylvania Property Tax Works

Property tax in Pennsylvania is an annual tax levied on real estate by local governments — primarily counties, municipalities, and school districts. The amount you owe is determined by your property's assessed value multiplied by the local mill rate. The statewide effective rate is approximately 1.49% of market value, placing Pennsylvania 0.39% above the national average of 1.10%.

The effective rate combines all local levies: county tax, municipal tax, school district tax, and any special assessments. Because Pennsylvania has multiple taxing jurisdictions, your actual rate depends heavily on where in the state your property is located. The 1.49% figure is a weighted average across all Pennsylvania counties.

On the median Pennsylvania home valued at $231,000, the typical annual property tax bill is about $3,442 — or roughly $287 per month when paid through a mortgage escrow account.

Who Collects Property Tax in Pennsylvania — and How Rates Are Set

In Pennsylvania, property taxes are assessed and collected at the county level. Each county has an assessor who determines property values and a treasurer (or equivalent office) who collects taxes. The state sets the framework and maximum rates; counties, municipalities, and school districts each add their own levies within those limits.

Mill rates (expressed as dollars of tax per $1,000 of assessed value) are set annually based on local budget needs. A mill rate of 10 equals a 1.0% effective rate. Most jurisdictions reassess properties every one to four years, though some reassess annually. If your home's market value rises faster than neighboring properties, your share of the tax burden can increase even if the mill rate stays the same.

To find your exact rate, contact your Pennsylvania county assessor's office or check your county's official website. Your most recent property tax bill will also show the breakdown of all levies applied to your parcel.

Pennsylvania Property Tax Exemptions and Relief Programs

Pennsylvania's Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion reduces assessed values, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program aids qualifying seniors and disabled residents.

Veterans may qualify for a partial or full exemption depending on disability rating and service history. Agricultural land often receives a preferential assessment based on use-value rather than market value. If you believe your assessment is incorrect, you have the right to appeal — typically within 30 to 90 days of receiving your assessment notice.

To apply for any exemption, contact your county assessor. Most exemptions require an annual or one-time application and proof of eligibility (residency, age, disability documentation, etc.).

Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate: $1,000 Back, and the Deadline Is 31 December 2026

Pennsylvania has no statewide property tax, so relief comes through one specific programme rather than through a lower rate — and it is far larger than most homeowners realise. Act 7 of 2023 raised the maximum standard rebate from $650 to $1,000 and lifted the income ceiling from $35,000 to $45,000, then tied that ceiling to inflation so it climbs every year. For 2026 the household income limit is $48,110.

Who qualifies: Pennsylvanians aged 65 or older, widows and widowers aged 50 or older, and people with disabilities aged 18 or older. Critically, half of Social Security income is excluded when the Department of Revenue works out your household income, which is why many people who assume they earn too much actually qualify. Renters are eligible too — the programme covers rent paid, not just property tax. The Shapiro administration extended the application deadline to 31 December 2026, and began distributing $226 million in expanded rebates in July 2026 to roughly 376,000 additional Pennsylvanians brought in by the expansion.

What this is worth against a real bill: on the state median home of $231,000, the estimated annual tax is about $3,442. A maximum standard rebate takes that to roughly $2,442 — a 29% reduction, and the calculator above now shows this net figure directly. Some claimants in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton, and any claimant whose property tax exceeds 15% of income, also receive a supplemental rebate on top. Apply free through myPATH; you do not need a paid preparer. Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — 2026 deadline extension. Last updated 2026-08-24.

Tips to Manage Your Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill

First, verify your assessment is accurate. Review your property record card at the county assessor's office and check for errors in square footage, bedroom/bathroom count, or lot size. Even small errors can inflate your assessed value and tax bill. If the assessment seems high, look up recent sale prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood and file an appeal if warranted.

Second, apply for every exemption you qualify for. Homestead, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions can reduce your taxable value by thousands of dollars. Third, if your mortgage servicer handles tax payments through escrow, review your escrow statement annually. Servicers sometimes over-estimate and hold excess funds — you may be entitled to a refund. Finally, Pennsylvania property tax due dates vary by county and school district. Many are due March 31.