Seniors
Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze
Verified · October 23, 2026 Deadline soon — check dates
The City will freeze your Real Estate Tax bill if you meet age and income rules, so the amount you pay each year does not increase even if your property assessment or the tax rate changes. If your tax amount goes down, your bill is lowered to the new amount and frozen there. Homeowners who first qualified in an earlier year, going back to 2018, can freeze their bill at that first eligible year’s amount.
- Organization
- City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue
- Who qualifies
- You must own and live in the Philadelphia property as your primary residence, and meet one age rule: you are 65 or older; you live in the same household with a spouse who is 65 or older; or you are 50 or older and a widow of someone who reached the age of 65 before passing away. Eligible seniors who live in cooperative buildings may enroll using a special co-op application. You can apply even if your name is not on the deed, including if you have a tangled title or a reverse mortgage.
- Income limits
- Total income of $33,500 or less for a single person, or $41,500 or less for a married couple. For a first eligibility year of 2018-2021, the limits on the City's page are $27,500 single / $35,500 married; the $33,500 / $41,500 limits apply for 2022 to the present.
- Documents needed
- Proof of age and proof of income for yourself and/or your spouse. Proof of age examples: birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver's license, or Social Security award letter, or any document that clearly shows a date of birth. Proof of income examples: Social Security (SSA, SSDI, SSI) award letters, pension statements, bank statements, retirement or rental income statements, interest and dividends, pay stubs, W-2 or state/federal tax return, unemployment or workers' compensation statements, or child support and alimony records. Make copies only; do not send original documents.
- How to apply
- Apply online through the Philadelphia Tax Center: use the 'Search for a property' link on the homepage under the Property panel and follow the prompts; you do not need a username or password. You can also download and complete the application form, gather proof of age and income, and mail it to Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 53190, Philadelphia, PA 19105. It takes a one-time application. Applications are due September 30 of each year.
- Last verified
- October 23, 2026
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