Philadelphia property taxes are due March 31 every year. If you miss the deadline, your account will grow. If you don’t pay, it may go to collections. Things could get more complicated, and you could eventually lose your house.
- Your home is protected – OOPA prevents thousands of Philadelphians from losing their homes to tax foreclosures. Stay current on your OOPA and the City won’t put a lien on your home or sell it at a tax sale. Your account won’t be sent to a collection agency, either. In short, if you continue to honor your agreement, even if you still have a balance, we consider you to be in good standing. But OOPA requires consistent payments to stay enrolled – a late or missed payment can end your participation.
- You’ll have a plan to pay your debt – with an OOPA, you’ll pay your delinquent bill in affordable monthly installments. Although the terms of your agreement are income-based, you’ll always get a payment plan you can afford. You don’t even have to pay anything upfront—no down payment required. We’ll place you on a plan based on your income or true ability to pay.
- If you own your home, you qualify – OOPA is available to all homeowners. You just have to own your primary residence or live in the property you’re applying for.
- It’s easy to apply – you can apply for an OOPA online or by mailing us this paper form. Applying online is the fastest and easiest. Use the “Search for a property” link under the “Property” panel on the Philadelphia Tax Center and follow the prompts. You can also call (215) 686-6442 to request an OOPA.
- You can still get additional relief – getting an OOPA doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of other property tax assistance programs. OOPA participants can also get the Homestead Exemption, sign up for the Low-income Tax Freeze or enroll in the Senior Tax Freeze. You may also be able to include current-year taxes in your existing OOPA.
Don’t wait until it’s too late or your account is delinquent before getting an OOPA. You should sign up if you have overdue property taxes or can’t pay your whole bill at once. The SaveYourHomePhilly, a municipal government program, is another great resource. Call their hotline at (215) 334-4663 to learn more about how this program can help you protect your home from tax sales.
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