Owe Philadelphia property taxes? Council has a payment plan for you

Philadelphia City Council is debating how to set up rules to help those behind on their taxes avoid foreclosure.   it comes as the city is do a better job of collecting unpaid taxes.

The current plan is for the city of Philadelphia to foreclose on 600 properties a month for unpaid taxes. Robert Morrell faced sheriff’s sale after becoming disabled and falling behind on his taxes.

“I pushed the personal property taxes aside, thinking I could deal with that later,” said Morrell.

Councilman Bill Green says his proposal would allow low income homeowners to stave off sheriff sale by following a payment plan.

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“You would be able to pay between five and seven percent of your monthly income as your payment to the city and if you are in 125 percent of poverty and you keep up with your payment that five to seven percent the city won’t be able to take your home into foreclosure,” said Green.

Green says some homeowners have been able to work out payment plans, but there are no written policies to guide the collection agencies assigned the worst deliquents.

His bill also includes forgiveness of interest and penalties if timely payments are made.

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