Concerned about rising home values and their impact on your property tax? Sign up for the Low-income Real Estate Tax Freeze to ease your mind. This new City program gives low-income homeowners a chance to save money and pay less in property taxes.
Read on to discover why now is the time to take advantage of this program.
FREEZE your tax bill
Home values have increased, making it harder for some owners to afford their property taxes. But there’s good news: you can sign up for the Low-income Tax Freeze to keep your bill down.
The new relief program freezes your bill at the current amount or a previous year’s amount. For example, the program started in 2024, so first-year applicants can freeze their 2025 bill at the 2024 amount. This means that your bill won’t go up even if your home’s value increased with the 2025 assessment.
Freezing your taxes ensures that your bill stays stable and predictable, even if your home’s assessed value or tax rate changes (in the future). Plus, if your home’s value or the tax rate drops, your bill gets locked in at the new (lower) rate.
Another good thing is that you can have the Low-income Real Estate Tax Freeze and the Homestead Exemption together. That’s even more money back in your pocket, especially since the new Homestead Exemption amount (as of 2025) is $100,000, saving you about $1,399 a year.
Who’s eligible to apply?
The new program doesn’t have an age limit, but you must meet these income requirements:
- Have a total annual income of $33,500 or less for a single person; or
- $41,500 or less for a married couple.
Don’t wait, apply now
It only takes a one-time application to lock in your bill. You can sign up multiple ways, but applying online is always best. It prevents errors and speeds up processing. You don’t need a username and password. Just find the “Search for a property” hyperlink under the “Property” panel on the Philadelphia Tax Center. Enter your address and select “Search.”
Your property’s OPA number will appear as a blue hyperlink on the right side of the screen. Select it to access your property account. Then, select the “Apply for real estate assistance programs” hyperlink to access the next page and follow the prompts to submit your application.
Other ways to apply
You can also apply:
- By mail, by filling out and returning this paper application to us with copies of your proof of income, identity and residency. Proof of income could be a pension statement, bank statements, pay stubs from your current employer, or any document that clearly shows your income, OR
- In person at one of our municipal service centers.
You have until January 31 to apply. If approved, you don’t have to reapply; we will automatically enroll you each year. You only have to reapply if there’s a change to your income or deed.
Need more information?
Find out more about Philly’s expanded property tax freeze program at phila.gov/tax-freeze. Unlike the Senior Tax Freeze, the Low-income Tax Freeze isn’t retroactive. Both freezes aim to reduce homeowners’ tax burdens.
