HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill today sponsored by Senator Scott Martin (R-13) that would help more local taxpayers benefit from school property tax discounts and extended payment deadlines.
Senate Bill 1125 would give each school district the option to extend property tax discount periods and remove penalties for late payments through June 30, 2021. The bill would give school districts the power to help more taxpayers who are struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Martin said.
The bill has been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and is on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
“Many hardworking Pennsylvanians are still struggling to recover from the pandemic and Governor Wolf’s arbitrary business shutdown orders. While they work to get back on their feet, we need to explore every avenue for financial relief, including flexibility on paying school property taxes,” Martin said. “I am hopeful that our local schools will move forward with this new option to offer a helping hand to taxpayers who need it most.”
The bill mirrors a law that Martin authored in April that allows counties and municipalities to provide property tax relief to taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The law gives county and municipal governments the option to extend deadlines for property tax discount rates to any date up until August 31, and waive any fee or penalty for late payments of property taxes if paid in full by the end of the year.
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535