A higher property-tax bill can make a longtime homeowner start wondering whether staying in the house still makes financial sense.
Before making a housing decision based on that increase, check whether you qualify for any of Philadelphia’s property-tax relief programs.
Philadelphia offers programs intended to help certain homeowners reduce or manage their property-tax burden. Eligibility depends on the individual program and the homeowner’s circumstances.
That matters because the tax bill you’re looking at today may not necessarily be the final answer.
If you’re considering selling or downsizing partly because of property taxes, start by separating two questions:
First: Are there tax-relief programs available to you?
Second: Even after considering those programs, does staying in the house still make financial and practical sense?
Those are different questions.
Selling may eventually be the right decision.
Staying may be the right decision.
The important thing is not making a major housing decision before you understand the options that could affect the numbers.
For current eligibility requirements, applications and program information, use the City of Philadelphia’s official property-tax relief resources.
Check current Philadelphia property-tax relief programs and eligibility
If you’re also trying to determine whether staying, downsizing or selling makes sense from the real estate side, that’s a separate conversation we can work through.