HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, is urging residents to make sure they have filed a homestead/farmstead exclusion application to be eligible for property tax reductions.
“Applications must be filed with the county by March 1 for home and farm owners to be eligible for reductions this year,” George said. “I would urge residents who have not sought the exemption — and more than 80 percent of county homeowners already have — to apply immediately and become eligible this year for any property tax breaks.”
Applications and information are available by calling the Clearfield County Assessment Office at 765-2641, extension 5997. No fees are required. Residents whose applications were approved previously under Act 72 — the Homeowner Tax Relief Act — do not need to apply again as long as they live in the same home.
“Should voters in the May 15 primary election approve proposals to reduce property taxes by increasing the earned income tax or personal income tax, only those residents with approved exemptions will receive the corresponding break on property taxes,” George said. ““Any property tax reductions approved would appear on residents’ property tax bills beginning July 1.”
Although residents who miss the Feb. 28 deadline can apply next year, George said many factors make seeking the exemption immediately the wise move.
“Although gaming proceeds were not expected to accrue fast enough to provide property tax relief until next year, those projections may have been conservative,” George said. “Also, a number of proposals in Harrisburg call for dedicating more state taxes to local property tax relief, which also could hinge on residents having approved homestead or farmstead exemptions.”
Resident home and farm owners filing for exemptions before March 1 will be notified of approval or disapproval about 30 days after the application is received. Denials may be appealed.