By Lana Adams, Department of Revenue
Most Philadelphia residents have already paid their 2020 property taxes. If you haven’t yet paid, you have until December 31 to either pay or get into a payment agreement.
You already owe interest on your bill, but things can get worse. The clock is already ticking down, but you still have time to get into a payment agreement or pay your balance in full.
On January 1, 2021, any outstanding 2020 Real Estate Taxes on your property will become delinquent. That means the City will:
• File a lien against your property for the taxes due.
• Impose charges, expenses and fees.
The March 31 deadline to pay 2020 Real Estate Tax was extended until June 15 this year. This gave residents more time to pay during the COVID-19 health emergency. But if you don’t pay by December 31, the City can begin the process of selling your home at a Sheriff Sale.
The City suspended Sheriff Sales after the start of the pandemic, but they won’t be postponed forever.
Don’t start the New Year with additional charges, and the fear of foreclosure. Pay your 2020 bill now.
There are many convenient, easy ways to pay:
Online – Secure and fast, the best way to pay.
By mail – We accept payments with a personal or cashier’s check, or money order. Be sure to attach a payment coupon to your bill and write the tax type and account number on your check. Go to phila.gov/departments/departmentofrevenue to learn how to print a coupon yourself.
Mail payments with coupon to:
Philadelphia Dept. of Revenue
P.O. Box 8409
Philadelphia, PA 19101-8409
By phone – Call (877) 309-3710 to make a payment over the phone.
In person, by appointment (www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/paying-city-taxes/make-an-appointment-to-pay-city-taxes-or-a-water-bill-in-person/)
To limit in-person contact due to the COVID-19 health emergency, we encourage you to make payments online or by mail.
Get into a payment agreement
We know 2020 has been a rough year for many. If you find that you are not in a position to pay your bill by December 31, assistance is available. An Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement (OOPA) offers affordable payments based on a homeowner’s income.
You don’t need a down payment to start. If you qualify, the minimum monthly payment can be as low as $0.
You should be aware that zero-dollar installments won’t erase your Real Estate Tax debt. But when you’re in an OOPA, your property is protected from foreclosure.
Call us at (215) 686-6442 to ask about getting into an OOPA. You can also ask us about other property tax relief programs, including:
The Homestead Exemption (www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/property-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/get-the-homestead-exemption)
The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Freeze
The Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP)
A payment plan for a property you don’t live in ( www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/payment-plans/real-estate-tax-payment-agreement-for-property-you-own-but-dont-live-in )
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