Tax & Fees FAQ

TAXES & FEES FAQ

See below for more information about City of Lancaster property taxes and fees.

WHAT TAXES AM I PAYING?

In the City of Lancaster, owners of real estate pay a property tax to the County, the City, and the School District. Each of these three taxing bodies has a different tax rate that is set by their respective elected officials. The County Commissioners set the tax rate for property taxes you pay to the County; the Mayor and City Council set the tax rate you pay to the City; and the School Board sets the rate for property taxes paid to the school district in which you live (School District of Lancaster, Conestoga Valley, or Lampeter-Strasburg).

HOW IS MY PROPERTY TAX CALCULATED?

The amount of property tax you pay is based on the County’s assessed value of real estate property that you own. The assessed value of your property is NOT the same as the market value of your home. The market value is the value of your property if you were to sell it. In most cases, City properties are assessed at a value lower than the market value.

Property tax rates are calculated in mills and are based on millage rates set by the County Commissioners, Lancaster City Council, and the School Board of the School District of Lancaster. A mill is equal to $1 in taxation for every $1,000 of assessed value of your property.

2024 MILLAGE RATES

– Lancaster City – 12.64 mills

– Lancaster County – 2.911 mills

– School District of Lancaster – 24.0186 (2023-2024 school year)

DOES THE CITY TAX MY INCOME?

Yes. An Earned Income Tax (EIT) is levied on your income. The rate levied on City residents is 1.1 percent. Of this amount, 0.6 percent is paid to the City and 0.5 percent is paid to the school district in which you live (School District of Lancaster, Lampeter-Strasburg or Conestoga Valley). Your employer typically collects earned Income Taxes through a payroll deduction. Any questions regarding EIT collection, refunds, tax return filing, etc. should be directed to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau 717-569-4521, or you can visit their website at www.lctcb.org.

DON’T I PAY A TAX FOR WORKING IN THE CITY?

The Local Services Tax is charged on all persons who work in the City and earn more than $12,000 a year. The Local Services Tax is $52 per person, $47 of which is paid to the City and $5 of which is paid to the school district in which you live (School District of Lancaster, Lampeter-Strasburg or Conestoga Valley). You pay the Local Services Tax to the City if you are employed in the City, regardless of where you live. Any questions regarding EIT collection, refunds, tax return filing, etc. should be directed to the LCTCB at (717) 569-4521 or you can visit their website at www.lctcb.org.

CAN I PAY MY TAXES ONLINE? CAN I MAKE CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS?

Yes. You can pay City Real Estate Taxes at our secure website by clicking the Pay Online Link. Please note that online payments include a small convenience fee. City Real Estate tax payment methods are as follows: mail a check to the Treasury Office, payments can be dropped in the drop box located outside the Treasury door, check, money order or cash payments can be made in the Treasury Office, or pay with a credit card or e-check on the City’s secure website( small convenience fee applies). Please note- any checks that are returned for NSF (non-sufficient funds) reason(s), an additional $50.00 charge will be added to the account.

ARE THERE ANY TAX OR RENT REBATE PROGRAMS THAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

If you earn less than $12,000 a year, you may be eligible for a rebate of the full amount you paid for the Local Services Tax. To apply for this rebate, contact the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau at (717) 569-4521 or you can visit their website at www.lctcb.org.

Also, many older adults on a fixed income are eligible to apply for Pennsylvania’s Tax and Rent Rebate program. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Eligible applicants can be reimbursed up to $650 for the amount they paid in property taxes or rent. To apply for this rebate, visit www.revenue.state.pa.us/ptrr.

Eligible Pennsylvanians can sign up to have Property Tax Rebate/Rent Rebate forms mailed to them or may sign up online at www.state.pa.us, or call toll-free (888) 222-9190.