How to Apply for Philadelphia’s Homestead Exemption
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia homeowners can shave a significant amount off their annual property tax bill through the Homestead Exemption, a city program that reduces the taxable portion of a home’s assessed value. The city says the exemption is worth about $1,399 a year for the average homeowner, since it excludes $100,000 of assessed value from taxation, according to the Department of Revenue.
Qualifying is straightforward. The city lists just two requirements: you must own the property, and you must live in it as your primary residence. There are no age or income limits, and having a mortgage does not disqualify you. You can only claim the exemption on one property, and it must be the one you live in. If you co-own a home, you still qualify as long as the exemption is not being claimed on another property in another jurisdiction.
One of the program’s biggest advantages is that it is a one-time application. Once approved, homeowners never have to reapply, and the savings stay in place for every year they own and live in the property. The only time a new application is needed is if the deed changes, for example after buying a different home or updating the names on the deed.
Applications are due by Dec. 1 each year, according to the city, and the city encourages homeowners to apply early so the benefit shows up on the next Real Estate Tax bill. Those approved after the early-filing window may receive a second bill with an adjusted amount due. Homeowners who recently bought a home can still apply if their settlement closing date falls between Dec. 2 and Dec. 31, under a recent change to city policy.
Applying online is the easiest route, the city says. Homeowners can search for their property on the Philadelphia Tax Center, select the property option, and choose the application for real estate assistance programs. No username or password is required to submit the application online. Before applying, it is worth checking whether the property is already enrolled, since many homes already carry the exemption. Enter the address on the city’s property search site, property.phila.gov, and look for the Homestead Exemption status on the property page.
For homeowners who prefer other methods, the city accepts applications by phone and by mail. The Homestead Hotline is (215) 686-9200. Paper applications can be printed from the city’s website and mailed to the City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 52817, Philadelphia, PA 19115.
Some situations need special handling. Homeowners with a 10-year real estate tax abatement cannot hold a Homestead Exemption at the same time, though they can apply during the last year of the abatement for the following year. Those enrolled in the Longtime Owner Occupants Program cannot carry both benefits either. Properties titled in a trust get extra review, since state law requires the owner to be a natural person.
The city also offers a conditional Homestead Exemption for homeowners dealing with tangled title, where a person’s name is not on the deed but they live in the home. Those applicants submit a paper application marked tangled title along with a completed and signed Homestead Affidavit and two forms of identification or proof of address, such as a utility bill or voter registration.
Tens of thousands of Philadelphia homeowners already use the program, but the city has said many eligible homeowners still have not enrolled. With the Dec. 1 deadline approaching, homeowners who have never applied can check their status online and submit an application in the same sitting.