Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Plains Township, Pennsylvania
Median Plains Township, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 2.68%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Plains Township, Pennsylvania home value: $148,950
Median annual Plains Township, Pennsylvania tax bill: $3,986, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Luzerne calculated?
Property taxes in Plains Township, Pennsylvania are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Plains Township's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Plains Township, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.68%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,992
$3,704
How Does the Plains Township Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Plains Township property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Plains Township's median effective tax rate of 2.68% — based on actual property records in Luzerne County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Plains Township's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Plains Township: rates range from the lowest to the highest, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Plains Township.
About Plains Township Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Plains Township, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
Plains Township's median effective property tax rate of 2.68% is lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Luzerne County base levy combined with local school district levies and special taxing districts that vary by subdivision throughout the township.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Plains Township. Homeowners in the highest ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.68%, while those in the lowest pay 2.68%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same township — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Luzerne County. Understanding which part of Plains Township you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Plains Township homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the August 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Plains Township's effective property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the median property tax rates in Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
1.87%
2.56%
3.25%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Plains Township Tax Rate
2.68%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Luzerne County Tax Rate
2.60%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Luzerne County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Luzerne County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Plains Township.
For example, the median home price in Plains Township is $148,950, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The median tax bill is $3,986, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$22,100
$124,200
$226,300
Median Plains Township Market Value
$148,950
Median Luzerne County Market Value
$94,400
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
How are property tax bills calculated in Plains Township?
Property tax bills in Plains Township are based on a home’s assessed value, not its market value. Local taxing authorities apply the property tax rate to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, so two homes with similar market prices can still owe different amounts if their assessments differ. The amount a homeowner pays can also be affected by exemptions, local levies, and changes in assessment over time.
For a home with a median home price of $148,950, property taxes can represent a significant ongoing cost. In Luzerne County, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,729, the 75th percentile is $4,242, and the 90th percentile is $4,396. Those figures are well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400, showing that homeowners in Plains Township often face higher-than-average property tax burdens.
Because property taxes are tied to assessed value and local rates, even small changes can affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Property Tax Bills Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$635
$3,185
$5,734
Median Plains Township Tax Bill
$3,986
Median Luzerne County Tax Bill
$2,802
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Plains Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | August 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Luzerne Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.timesleader.com |