Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze

What is the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax freeze?  

The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze helps Philadelphia residents keep their property taxes from going up. To enroll, you must meet certain age and income requirements. If you qualify, your tax bill will stay the same each year—even if your home’s value or the tax rate increases. If your taxes go down, you’ll pay the lower amount.

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Am I eligible for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax freeze?

To get help from the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze program, you must live in the Philadelphia area and meet both age and income requirements.

Age requirements

To qualify for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax freeze program, you must be one of the following:

• Age 65 or older
• Living with a spouse who is 65 or older
• A widow or widower who is 50 or older, whose spouse was at least 65 when they passed away.

Income requirements

In addition to age requirements, your income must be:

• $33,500 or less if you’re single, or
• $41,500 or less if you’re married.

Note: If you qualify for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze, your application will apply to the first year you were eligible—anytime between 2018 and 2024. You’ll need to provide proof of your income for that year.

How do I apply? 

There are several ways to apply, but the easiest is online. Just go to the “Search for a property” link on the Philadelphia Tax Center website or click the “Apply Now” button below.

Apply Now

Once there, you can enter your address into the search bar. Once your address is found and displayed, click on it to be taken to your property page. On your property page, click on the link to the right that says “Apply for real estate assistance programs” to begin your application. You don’t need to make an account to submit your application.

Note: The deadline to apply is Sept. 30th each year. If you missed the deadline, but are age 65 or older, you can have your application backdated. To request a backdate, contact Philadelphia’s Department of Revenue at revenue@phila.gov or call 215-686-6442.

Apply by Mail

To apply by mail, you will need to:

1. Download and fill out the application form. Be sure to complete the part about household income.
2. Collect documents that show your age and income (and your spouse’s, if needed).

Examples of proof of age documents include:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Driver’s license
• Social Security award letter
• Any document that clearly shows your date of birth

Examples of proof of income include:

• Social Security (SSA, SSDI, SSI) letters
• Pension statements
• Bank statements
• Retirement or rental income
• Interest or dividend statements
• Pay stubs
• W-2 forms or tax returns
• Unemployment letters
• Child support or alimony
• Any other documents that show income

Make photocopies of all your documents. Do not send originals. Mail your application and photocopies to:

Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 53190
Philadelphia, PA 19105

Who should I contact if I need help applying? 

If you have questions about the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze program or need help applying, you can email the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Revenue at revenue@phila.gov or call 215-686-6442. Their hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to reapply every year?

No. Once you’re approved, your Real Estate Tax amount will stay frozen and you won’t need to reapply each year—unless your income or ownership status changes.

Will I get money back if I already paid higher taxes in past years?

No. Refunds are not given for taxes that were already paid before you were enrolled in the program.

How long does it take to process my application?

It usually takes a few weeks to process your application. To avoid delays, make sure you send or upload all the required documents with your application.