2023-2024 REAL ESTATE PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

9 months ago

      INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYING REAL ESTATE TAX – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Payment Methods:

  1. Mail your check payable to “Donegal School District” to P.O. Box 60968, Harrisburg,  PA 17106, with the Tax bill payment stub. 
  2.  In Person: Payments may be made in person at the Elizabethtown Mid Penn Bank       branch at 2305 S. Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.  Tax bill payment stub is     required.
  3. Electronic Payment Options (ACH, Credit and Debit card payments): To make an Electronic Payment, select "Electronic Payments"  on Tax webpage. ADDITIONAL FEES of $1.50 per electronic check and 2.5% for Credit or Debit will apply.

Installment Payment Option: If desired, installment payments may be made in three (3) equal installments using the base amount by paying the amount noted "1st Installment Due” by 08/31/2023.  A coupon for the 2nd and 3rd installments will be mailed to you in September.  The 2nd installment is due by 10/31/2023 and the 3rd installment is due by  12/31/2023.  Discounts may not be taken for the installment payments, and a 10% penalty will apply if the 2nd or 3rd installments are late.

Due Dates: Payments must be post marked, paid in person or online, on or before the due dates noted for the option selected.  Late payments, postdated checks or incorrect check amounts will be returned to the sender.  We regret that exceptions cannot be granted.  Any taxes that remain unpaid as of 01/01/2024 must be considered delinquent and will be turned over to the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau for collection.

Mortgage Escrow: If your property taxes are paid by your mortgage company or bank, you must forward the enclosed bill to them immediately.

Change of Address: If the name or address on the bill is incorrect, contact the Lancaster County Assessor’s Office at (717) 299-8381.  If you no longer own this property, please forward this bill to the new owner or return to Donegal School District.

Property Tax Rebate Program: If you are a senior citizen, widow/widower, or permanently disabled, you may qualify for a rebate depending on your income.  For further information, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at 1-888-222-9190 or visit www.revenue.pa.gov.

Other questions concerning your tax bill may be directed to the school district’s tax office at (717) 492-1310.  Thank you.


Tax Programs

9 months ago

The Donegal School District administers various taxes. Currently the District collects the following taxes:
Real Estate Tax - 19.3737 millage rate
Occupation Tax - $5.00 per person employed within the district
Real Estate Transfer Tax - 0.5%
Earned Income Tax - 0.5%
The Donegal School District annual census forms have been mailed. Forms should have been received mid March. Please return promptly. If you did not receive a form, please call the Census Office at 717-492-1310. Thank you.
 

Important Dates:  

Real Estate Tax bills issued
7/1/2023

  

  
Full Payment Plan  
Discount due by     8/31/2023
Base due by  10/31/2023
Penalty due by 12/31/2023
  
Installment Plan  
1st Installment due by   8/31/2023
2nd Installment due by 
10/31/2023
3rd Installment due by 12/31/2023
  
 Final due date to pay taxes
12/31/2023

Please Note:  Due to changes made by the US Post Office, mail is postmarked the NEXT business day.  Please take this into consideration when mailing your payment.  If you don’t receive your tax bill(s) by mid-July or if you have any questions regarding these taxes, please contact the Tax Office at 717-492-1310.

Tax Certification Request Procedure

9 months ago

The steps to request a tax certification are as follows:


  1. Certification must be requested in writing to Donegal School District, Tax Office, 1051 Koser Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552 and accompanied with the $25.00 certification fee (per tax year requested) made payable to Donegal School District. We can accept the request via mail or by fax (717) 492-1350.
  2. The certification will be faxed back to the requestor within approximately two business days from when the request is received.
  3. All requests must contain the following information:

-         Name of current owner

-         Property Address

-         Tax Map Number

-         Municipality

-         Your Company Name

-         Your Fax Number

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (717) 492-1310 or email sandra.rinard@donegalsd.org.

Pennsylvania Property Tax & Rent Rebate Program

9 months ago

Many older adults live on fixed incomes, but their property taxes or rent continue to climb. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program can help reduce these expenses. Please see below for FAQs regarding this program:

Q: What is this program and who is eligible?

A: This Pennsylvania Lottery-funded rebate program benefits those age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Rebate amounts vary from $250 - $650 or more depending on the filer’s status. To be eligible, the annual income limit for homeowners cannot exceed $35,000 or $15,000 for renters. Only half of Social Security income is included in this calculation.

Q: Is there a deadline to apply?

A: Yes, the deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in the previous year is June 30th of the current year. For example, the deadline to apply for a rebate for property taxes or rent paid in 2022 is June 30, 2023.

Q: Where can I get an application?

A: Applications can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s website, requested by email (ra-forms@pa.gov), or by calling (800) 362-2050. Forms are also available at your local state legislator’s office or calling the Lancaster County Office of Aging (717) 299-7979.

Q: Where can I get help filling out the application?

A: You may download instructions at http://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications/FormsforIndividuals/Pages/Property-Tax-Rent-Rebate.aspx#.WT_3omgrLIU or call (888) 222-9190. Assistance is also available at most state legislators’ offices or by calling the Lancaster County Office of Aging at (717) 299-7979.

Q: How long will it take to get my rebate after I’ve submitted my application?

A: The Revenue Department starts mailing rebate checks for property taxes or rent paid in the previous year on July 1st. For example, rebate checks for property taxes or rent paid in 2022 is July 1, 2023. To check on the status of your rebate claim, call toll-free: 1-888-222-9190.

A stamped receipt from Donegal School District is considered required documentation as part of the application process. Receipts for payment can be mailed, e-mailed, faxed, or picked up in person from the Tax Office. If a mailed receipt is desired please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Tax Office.