Save Up to $1,399 a Year
With the Philadelphia
Homestead Exemption

If you own and live in a Philadelphia property, you may be eligible to save up to $1,399 every year through Philadelphia Homestead Exemption assistance. Thousands of dollars may already be lost simply because a homeowner never applied — or did not confirm the benefit was properly added to the property.

Mendez Homes & Investments can assist with the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption application for a $49 office service fee. Call our office at 215-291-2891 to get started.

What Is the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption?

The Philadelphia Homestead Exemption is a City of Philadelphia program that reduces the taxable assessed value of an eligible primary residence by $100,000. That reduction directly lowers your annual Philadelphia Real Estate Tax bill.

Key facts about the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption:

• It reduces the taxable assessed value of your home by $100,000.
• It applies only to the owner's primary residence in Philadelphia.
• It is not a loan and generally does not need to be repaid.
• It is not a payment plan — it permanently reduces what you are taxed on.
• Approval and eligibility are determined by the City of Philadelphia.

How Much Can Philadelphia Homeowners Save?

One missing Philadelphia Homestead Exemption application could cost an eligible homeowner up to approximately $1,399 every year. Over time, that adds up to real money — money that could stay in your pocket with one straightforward application.

Who Qualifies for the Homestead Exemption?

You may qualify for the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption when:

• You own a home in Philadelphia.
• You live in the home as your primary residence.
• Your ownership interest can be properly documented.
• The property is not used solely as a rental or investment property.

The basic Philadelphia Homestead Exemption does not have a general age or income requirement. Any qualifying homeowner who owns and lives in the property as a primary residence may apply.

How Do I Know Whether I Already Have the Homestead Exemption?

Do not assume the exemption is already active. Many Philadelphia homeowners believe they have it when they do not — or had it at one time but lost it after a deed change without realizing it.

You should verify your Homestead Exemption status if:

• You recently purchased the property and have not applied.
• You inherited the property.
• You refinanced — which can sometimes trigger a deed update.
• Someone was added to or removed from the deed.
• The deed was transferred into or out of a trust.
• Your tax bill recently increased unexpectedly.
• The exemption disappeared from the tax record.
• The former owner is still listed on City records.
• You applied but never confirmed approval.
• You have never checked the City's property-tax record.

You can check your property on the City of Philadelphia's property-tax portal. Mendez Homes & Investments can also review the City property record as part of the $49 application assistance service.

Philadelphia Homestead Application Assistance for $49

Our office can assist with:

• Reviewing the City property record
• Checking whether the exemption appears active
• Reviewing basic ownership information
• Preparing the Homestead Exemption application
• Submitting the application when authorized
• Organizing supporting documents
• Identifying apparent ownership-record discrepancies
• Providing administrative follow-up guidance
• Explaining the next step when additional documentation is requested

The $49 charge is Mendez Homes & Investments' office service fee. It is not a fee charged by the City of Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia does not charge a fee to apply for the Homestead Exemption.

What If You Are Behind on Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes?

If your Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes are past due, do not ignore the balance. A delinquent tax balance does not simply disappear — it typically continues to accumulate:

• Interest on the unpaid balance
• Penalties assessed by the City
• Collection charges and legal fees
• Potential liens against the property

Steps to take when Real Estate Taxes are past due:

• Determine which tax years are unpaid and how the balance was calculated.
• Confirm whether the Homestead Exemption is active — it may reduce the base that interest and penalties are calculated on.
• Review available payment-plan and tax-relief options.
• Organize income and household documentation for any relief program application.
• Consult a tax professional or attorney when professional advice is required.

Could an OOPA Help With Past-Due Philadelphia Property Taxes?

The Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement — known as the OOPA — is a City of Philadelphia program that may allow qualifying homeowners to make monthly payments toward past-due Real Estate Taxes rather than paying the full balance at once.

Possible features of the OOPA, subject to eligibility:

How Mendez Homes & Investments Can Help

Our office may assist with the following administrative and organizational tasks related to Philadelphia Real Estate Tax relief:

• Reviewing the Real Estate Tax account and identifying unpaid tax years
• Helping the homeowner understand the balance and how it was calculated
• Checking whether the Homestead Exemption is active on the property
• Helping organize an OOPA application and required income documentation
• Assisting with applicable City forms and document submissions
• Identifying other potential Philadelphia property tax-relief programs
• Helping homeowners respond to City document requests
• Providing administrative guidance and follow-up assistance
• Referring the homeowner to an attorney, accountant, or tax professional when professional advice is required

Other Philadelphia Property Tax-Relief Programs

Depending on your situation, you may also want to investigate the following programs. Each has separate eligibility rules determined by the City of Philadelphia or applicable authorities:

• Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze — may freeze Real Estate Taxes for qualifying senior Philadelphia homeowners
• Low-Income Real Estate Tax Freeze — may freeze Real Estate Taxes for qualifying low-income homeowners
• Longtime Owner Occupants Program (LOOP) — may limit tax increases for qualifying long-term owner-occupants
• Real Estate Tax Installment Plan — may allow current taxes to be paid in installments
• Property Assessment Appeals — if your assessed value appears inaccurate, an appeal may reduce your base tax amount — see our Philadelphia property tax assessment guide
• Tangled-title assistance — if ownership is unclear, a deed correction may be needed before certain relief programs are accessible — see our deed transfer services

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much can I save with the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption?

  Most eligible Philadelphia homeowners can save up to approximately $1,399 annually. The exemption reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence by $100,000. Actual savings depend on the property's assessed value and the current tax rate.

• Who qualifies for the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption?

  To qualify, you must own a property in Philadelphia and use it as your primary residence. The property cannot be used solely as a rental or investment property. Eligibility is determined by the City of Philadelphia.

• Is there an income or age requirement for the Homestead Exemption?

  The basic Philadelphia Homestead Exemption does not have a general age or income requirement. Any Philadelphia homeowner who owns and lives in the property as their primary residence may apply.

• Do I have to apply for the Homestead Exemption every year?

  No. Once approved, you generally do not have to reapply each year. However, if there is a deed or ownership change — such as a refinance, transfer, inheritance, or addition or removal of a co-owner — a new application may be required.

• What happens after a deed or ownership change?

  A deed or ownership change may require a new Homestead Exemption application. The exemption does not automatically transfer to a new owner. If you recently purchased, inherited, refinanced, or made changes to the deed, verify that the exemption is still active on the property.

• Can an inherited Philadelphia property qualify for the Homestead Exemption?

  A property you inherited may qualify if you now own it and live in it as your primary residence. Some inherited properties may require special review depending on the estate situation, the current deed, or how ownership was transferred. Not every inherited property will automatically qualify. See our Philadelphia probate and inherited property services.

• Can an owner-occupied duplex or triplex qualify?

  Owner-occupied multi-unit properties may qualify for review, but mixed-use properties and multi-unit buildings may be subject to additional eligibility requirements. Each property situation is different. Eligibility is determined by the City of Philadelphia.

• How can I check whether my Homestead Exemption is already active?

  You can look up your property on the City of Philadelphia's property-tax portal to see whether the Homestead Exemption appears on the account. Mendez Homes & Investments can also review the City property record as part of the $49 application assistance service.

• What happens if I am behind on Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes?

  A delinquent Real Estate Tax balance may continue to accumulate interest, penalties, collection charges, and legal fees. Over time, the balance can become a lien against the property. Homeowners should review their options — which may include a payment plan or the Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement — as early as possible.

• What is an Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement (OOPA)?

  The Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement (OOPA) is a City of Philadelphia program that may allow qualifying homeowners to make monthly payments toward past-due Real Estate Taxes. Monthly payments may be income-based. Some qualifying low-income or senior homeowners may qualify for very low or potentially $0 monthly payment arrangements. All terms and determinations are made by the City of Philadelphia. Learn more at the City's OOPA page.

• Can Philadelphia reduce or waive property tax interest and penalties?

  Certain qualifying participants in the OOPA or other relief programs may receive reductions or waivers of accumulated interest and penalties. Interest and penalty relief is not automatic. All decisions are made by the City of Philadelphia based on eligibility.

• Is the $49 fee charged by the City of Philadelphia?

  No. The $49 charge is Mendez Homes & Investments' office service fee for Homestead Exemption application assistance. It is not a fee charged by the City of Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia does not charge a fee to apply for the Homestead Exemption.

• Is Mendez Homes & Investments a government agency?

  No. Mendez Homes & Investments is an independent Philadelphia real estate and property-services company. It is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia or any government agency.

• Does Mendez Homes & Investments provide legal or tax advice?

  No. The office provides administrative, document-organization, application-assistance, and property-services support. Legal and tax advice must be obtained from appropriately licensed professionals such as an attorney, accountant, or tax advisor.