Schuylkill County Commissioners have approved advertising an ordinance that would establish a $20,000 County Homestead Exclusion.
Many property owners in Schuylkill County have already taken advantage of the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion through their local school district. If and when the County Commissioners approve their own Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion, property owners would get a tax break on their County taxes as well.
Homesteads are considered a property owner’s primary residence. For a full definition, check out this page from the state’s Dept. of Community & Economic Development
School districts establish their own Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion rates. The County, when the ordinance passes, would offer property owners who already qualify for this exclusion a $20,000 reduction on their assessed property value.
Commissioners Chairman Larry Padora says the County can establish its own Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion only during a reassessment.
Commissioners say the average property owner who qualifies for the Homestead/Farmstead exclusion would see an $80 discount on their property tax bills from the County.
Here’s a table that shows how a property assessed at a value of $150,000 would be affected by a $20,000 Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion:
| Tax Year | Taxed Value | Millage Rate (Estimate) | County Tax (2026 Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without Exclusion | $150,000 | 3.8 | $570 |
| With $20K Exclusion | $130,000 | 3.8 | $494 |
Property owners who have already been approved for this exclusion will not have to do anything. The exclusion discount will automatically be applied to their first tax bill after the ordinance is adopted.
For property owners that haven’t applied for or been approved for the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion, they’ll have a chance at the beginning of 2026. Applications are mailed by a property owner’s local school district on Dec. 31. The window to apply opens on Jan. 1 and closes on March 1.
REASSESSMENT NEWS:
- Schuylkill County Plans to Tax Properties at 100% of Assessed Value After Reassessment Takes Effect
- Schuylkill County Commissioners Alert Property Owners About Misleading Deed Offer
- The Critical Next Phases of the Schuylkill County Property Tax Reassessment Explained
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