Title
Amending Chapter 19-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Tax Exemptions for Longtime Owner-Occupants of Residential Properties,” to extend the availability of exemptions and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 19-3900 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 19-3900. TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR LONGTIME OWNER-OCCUPANTS OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
* * *
§ 19-3902. Definitions.
* * *
[(7) "Low-income longtime owner-occupant." A longtime owner-occupant whose total household income is less than or equal to eighty percent (80%) of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in its most recent publication for Philadelphia County.]
§ 19-3903. Eligibility for Exemption of Real Property Taxes.
(1) Real property shall be eligible for the exemptions provided for under this Chapter if it meets all of the following conditions:
* * *
(f) For [the first ten years,] each year, the total household income is less than or equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in its most recent publication for Philadelphia County. [For any tax year after the first ten years, the long-time owner-occupant must qualify as a low-income longtime owner-occupant.]
* * *
§ 19-3905. Benefit Determinations.
(1) For purposes of calculating City and School District real estate taxes, upon application pursuant to subsection (2), below, if the certified market value of an eligible property for any tax year, minus any homestead exclusion, is more than three times the certified market value of such property for the immediately preceding tax year, then the certified market value of such property for such tax year shall be deemed to equal three times the certified market value of such property for the immediately preceding tax year, and no further homestead exclusion shall be allowed. Regardless of whether the property is subsequently assessed at a lower or higher market value, the foregoing deemed certified market value shall remain the deemed certified market value for so long as the eligible taxpayer remains eligible, until such property is sold, transferred or is no longer the principal residence of the eligible taxpayer, or until the eligible taxpayer voluntarily opts out of the program. [That deemed certified market value shall not continue for more than ten years, unless the taxpayer qualifies as a low-income longtime owner-occupant.]
* * *
___________________________________
Explanation:
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.
Italics indicate new matter added.
End