In tax year 2026, the median Philadelphia homeowner paid $2,417 in property taxes, a median effective rate of 1.13% of market value, compared with 2.75% statewide. Unlike base-year counties in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia reassesses properties annually at 100% of fair market value.
- Median Philadelphia effective property tax rate: 1.13%
- Median Philadelphia home value: $221,900
- Median Philadelphia property tax bill: $2,417
Last Updated October 26, 2026
How Property Taxes Work in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) estimates the fair market value of all real property on an annual basis. Philadelphia assesses properties at 100% of market value, without applying the base-year systems common throughout other Pennsylvania counties.
Your tax bill combines two single unified levies: the City of Philadelphia municipal rate and the School District of Philadelphia rate. Property taxes are billed as a single annual notice in December and are due by March 31 of the tax year. A 1% discount applies to bills paid by the end of February.
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 Philadelphia County Effective Property Tax Rate
1.13%
Median Philadelphia County Home Value
$221,900
Median Philadelphia County Tax Bill
$2,417
What is the Median Effective Property Tax Rate?
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.
Because Philadelphia provides significant homestead reductions, effective tax rates capture the real tax burden for homeowners across city neighborhoods better than the statutory rate alone.
How to Appeal Your Property Taxes in Philadelphia
Philadelphia homeowners can appeal their valuation if the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) overvalues the property or assesses it unequally compared to surrounding homes.
Review your valuation notice
Check your annual valuation notice mailed by the OPA in spring. Review your market value, building condition grade, and property characteristics for inaccuracies.
File an informal First Level Review (FLR)
Homeowners can file a free informal First Level Review directly with the OPA by September 1. The OPA can adjust values if clear factual or comparable errors exist.
File a formal appeal with the BRT
If the FLR is denied or you choose to file formally, submit an appeal application to the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) by the first Monday in October.
Attend your BRT hearing
Present market evidence before the Board of Revision of Taxes. Evidence typically includes recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood, photos of property deficiencies, or an independent appraisal.
Further appeal
If you disagree with the BRT's decision, you can appeal to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the mailing date on your decision notice.
Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell
$774
Average Annual Tax Savings
Philadelphia Property Tax Exemptions
Philadelphia offers specific municipal relief programs to reduce real estate taxes for primary residences:
- Philadelphia Homestead Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of an owner-occupied primary residence by $100,000, saving homeowners over $1,300 annually on combined city and school taxes.
- Longtime Owner-Occupants Program (LOOP): Caps assessment increases for eligible homeowners who have lived in their primary residence for at least 10 years and experienced significant assessment increases.
- Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze: Freezes property tax bills for low- and moderate-income seniors age 65 or older (or age 50 for surviving spouses).
- Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption: Provides a 100% exemption on real estate taxes for honorably discharged veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities and demonstrated financial need.
Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Spring | OPA valuation notices mailed to property owners |
| September 1 | Informal First Level Review (FLR) deadline with the OPA |
| First Monday in October | Formal Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) appeal deadline |
| December | Annual real estate tax bills mailed for the upcoming year |
| Last day of February | 1% early payment discount deadline |
| March 31 | Philadelphia property tax bills due |