IFO Releases
Fiscal Impact of School Property Tax Rebates
March 13, 2018 | Property Tax
In response to a legislative request, the IFO estimated the fiscal impact of a school property tax rebate for all homesteads. The rebate would be equal to the statewide average school property tax paid by homesteads. The response includes both baseline estimates for currently eligible homesteads and estimates for a behavioral effect based on the filing of additional homestead applications in response to the availability of rebates.
School District Property Tax Forecast
January 18, 2018 | Property Tax
This research brief contains the IFO's forecasted school district property tax collections from FY 2016-17 through FY 2022-23. The brief also contains estimates of school district property tax collections that can be attributed to homestead property.
Total school property tax collections for FY 2016-17 ($14.0 billion) and FY 2017-18 ($14.4 billion) are estimated using millage rates published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and property tax assessment data. For FY 2018-19 through FY 2022-23, collections are projected based on the statutory, economic and structural factors that affect growth rates of property taxes. During that period, total school property tax collections are projected to grow by an average annual rate of 3.3 percent, reaching $17.0 billion by FY 2022-23.
School Property Taxes; Households Age 60, 65 and 70 or Older
December 11, 2017 | Property Tax
In response to a legislative request, the IFO analyzed data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to estimate the share of school property taxes paid by households in which the householder (or spouse, if applicable) had attained the ages 60 or over, 65 or over and 70 or over. The analysis applies the shares derived from the ACS to estimated school district property tax collections attributable to homestead properties for FY 2015-16 to further estimate the dollar amounts paid by such households.
County Homestead Detail
December 06, 2017 | Property Tax
As an extension of its recent research relating to property taxes, the IFO has released additional data regarding homestead property. Estimates for the numbers and assessed values of homestead properties by county are based, in large part, on the results of a survey of county assessment offices. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania provided valuable assistance by coordinating the survey. Data for Philadelphia has been adjusted based on new information provided by the Philadelphia Department of Revenue.
School Property Tax and Related Data
November 13, 2017 | Property Tax
In response to a legislative request, the IFO collected and analyzed certain data related to school property taxes and potential replacement revenues. Data for Philadelphia in Table 3 has been adjusted based on information provided by the Philadelphia Department of Revenue.
An Overview of School District Property Tax Reform
May 04, 2017 | Property Tax
Throughout May, Director Matt Knittel and Deputy Director Mark Ryan will make five presentations on the potential implications of school district property tax reform. The events are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Economy League and will take place at the various locations listed below.
Click the following links for additional details:
READING Thursday May 4th 7:30-9:00am
WILLIAMSPORT Friday May 5th 12:00-1:30pm
YORK Thursday May 11th 12:00-1:30pm
WILKES-BARRE Friday May 12th 12:00-1:30pm
LEHIGH VALLEY Friday May 19th 12:00-1:30pm
Property Tax Elimination Projection
April 11, 2017 | Property Tax
The IFO has released new projections regarding school property tax elimination. The document projects the school property tax revenues that would be eliminated, and thus subject to replacement, under legislation that may be introduced in the near future (the relevant parameters are summarized in the document). The projection builds upon a school property tax forecast the IFO released in January of this year.
School District Property Tax Elimination
January 19, 2017 | Property Tax
Director Matt Knittel and Deputy Director Mark Ryan made a presentation to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) regarding the current proposal and forecasts for school district property taxes in Pennsylvania.
*Updated February 13, 2017
Updated School District Property Tax Forecast
January 09, 2017 | Property Tax
Letter updating the IFO's forecast of school district property tax collections for FY 2015-16 through FY 2021-22. The letter also includes projections of school district debt service payments and earned income tax collections for FY 2015-16 through FY 2021-22.
Total school property tax collections for FY 2015-16 ($13.6 billion) and FY 2016-17 ($13.9 billion) are estimated using millage rates published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For FY 2017-18 through FY 2021-22, collections are projected based on a forecast of the Act 1 index and exceptions. During that period, total school property tax collections are projected to grow by an average annual rate of 3.5 percent, reaching $16.5 billion by FY 2021-22.
Prior reports / references: (1) 2013 IFO analysis of HB / SB 76 and (2) 2014 update of the school property tax forecast.
The Effect of Act 1 of 2015
April 17, 2015 | Property Tax
Letter discussing the effect of Act 1, which uses an index to limit the ability of school districts to increase real property millage rates (April 2015).