For Immediate Release
January 31, 2007
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Assistant
717-787-6709
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Senator Brubaker encourages submission of homestead/farmstead exemption applications

Forms due by March 1 to qualify for any potential property tax reductions this year

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) is reminding residents of the 36th District to complete their homestead/farmstead exemption applications and return them to their County Assessment Office by March 1. Homeowners will not receive the benefits of possible property tax reductions under Act 1 this year unless their exemption applications have been submitted by this date.

Currently, all school districts in the Commonwealth are finalizing their proposals to reduce property taxes through an increase in the earned income tax or personal income tax. Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to vote on these proposals on Primary Election Day.

"If voters approve their school districts' proposals, only those homeowners who have returned their homestead/farmstead exemption applications will receive the corresponding property tax reductions," Brubaker said. Assuming both conditions are met, reductions will appear on property tax bills beginning on July 1, 2007.

Lancaster County residents who have lost their original application can download another copy by going to www.co.lancaster.pa.us, and clicking "County Offices and Departments," then "Property Assessment," then "Act 1 of 2006." Applications must be returned to:

Lancaster County Assessment Office
Lancaster County Court House
50 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA  17608-3408

Chester County residents can download applications by going to www.chesco.org, and clicking "Homestead Application Information and Form." Those applications must be returned to:

Chester County Assessment-Homestead Office
Government Services Building
601 Westtown Road, Suite 395
P.O. Box 2747
West Chester, PA  19380-0990

If a homeowner's application was previously approved under the Homeowner Tax Relief Act (Act 72), there is no need to submit a new application under Act 1. Individuals with questions or who would like to see if their application has already been received and approved can call the Lancaster County Assessment Office at 717-299-8381 or the Chester County Assessment Office at 610-344-4570.

Homeowners who miss the March 1 deadline will still be eligible to apply for property tax reductions in following years through the homestead/farmstead exemption application.