A Philadelphia property tax bill is short: the Real Estate Tax has just two parts, one imposed by the City and one by the School District of Philadelphia, and both are collected on one bill by the Department of Revenue [1][2].
At a glance
The two rates on every Philadelphia bill
| Taxing unit | Rate (% of taxable value) | Per $100 | Share of the total |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Philadelphia | 0.6159% | $0.6159 | About 44% |
| School District of Philadelphia | 0.7839% | $0.7839 | About 56% |
| Total | 1.3998% | $1.3998 | 100% |
The Department of Revenue says the 1.3998% rate hasn’t changed since 2016 and will stay the same in 2027 [2]. The rate is set by City ordinance [4]. Because there’s one rate citywide, two homes with the same taxable value pay the same tax no matter which neighborhood they’re in.
How the rate becomes a bill
Your bill is your taxable assessed value times 1.3998% [2]. The Office of Property Assessment sets the market value; the Department of Revenue doesn’t [2]. If you have the Homestead Exemption, $100,000 comes off the assessed value first [3].
| Assessed value | Without Homestead | With Homestead ($100,000 off) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $2,099.70 | $699.90 | $1,399.80 |
| $250,000 | $3,499.50 | $2,099.70 | $1,399.80 |
| $400,000 | $5,599.20 | $4,199.40 | $1,399.80 |
To see your own numbers, search your address on property.phila.gov, which shows your assessed value and has a calculator that estimates your bill with the City’s relief programs [2].
Lowering what you pay
The rate is fixed, so the levers are your value and your exemptions:
- Get the Homestead Exemption if you own and live in the home. See our Philadelphia Homestead Exemption guide.
- Ask about LOOP or a tax freeze if your value jumped or your income is limited; the same guide covers both.
- Appeal your assessment if OPA’s value is wrong (below).
- Spread out the payment with an installment plan or OOPA: see Philadelphia property tax due date.
Appealing your assessed value
There are two separate appeals, filed with two different agencies on two different forms, and you can file both [4]:
- First Level Review (FLR) with OPA, an informal review. For 2027 values the deadline was September 1, 2026 [4].
- Formal appeal with the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT). For 2027 values the deadline was October 5, 2026 [4].
Both of those dates have passed for 2027. As a general rule, BRT appeals must be filed by the first Monday in October of the year before the tax year you’re appealing [1], which would be Monday, October 4, 2027 for the 2028 tax year. An appeal has to show your value is too high or too low, out of line with similar nearby properties, or based on wrong property details; your ability to pay isn’t a reason [4]. OPA: 215-686-9200 [4].
Statewide, Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate can return part of the tax older and disabled homeowners pay; see BestPennsylvania’s Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate.
Sources
- City of Philadelphia: Real Estate Tax
- City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue: Learn how to lower your property tax bill ahead of the 2027 valuations (July 20, 2026)
- City of Philadelphia: Get the Homestead Exemption
- City of Philadelphia, Office of Property Assessment: Understanding your notice of proposed valuation, tax year 2027
Next steps
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What is the property tax rate in Philadelphia?
1.3998% of the property's taxable assessed value. That's 0.6159% for the City of Philadelphia plus 0.7839% for the School District of Philadelphia. The City says the rate hasn't changed since 2016 and will stay the same in 2027.
How do I estimate my Philadelphia property tax bill?
Multiply your taxable assessed value by 1.3998%. If you have the Homestead Exemption, subtract $100,000 from the assessed value first. For a home assessed at $250,000 with the Homestead, that's $150,000 x 1.3998% = $2,099.70 a year.
Are there other taxing units on a Philadelphia property tax bill?
The City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia are the two taxing bodies that impose the Real Estate Tax on all real estate in the city, and both parts are collected on one bill by the Department of Revenue.