Philadelphia sends out tax bills with 9.9% hike

The city of Philadelphia is sending out controversial pieces of paper: new property tax bills that include a significant tax hike.

The nearly 10 percent property tax hike was hotly debated, but with the city facing a major budget gap, officials OK’d it.City Revenue Commissioner Keith Richardson said people are responsible for paying their taxes, but there is help.”For any  senior citizens here in the city of Philadelphia over 65, we do have the senior citizen tax-freeze program,” Richardson said. “It’s income eligibility.  They have an opportunity to freeze that new tax increase and they will continue to pay off their 2010 bill.  They won’t see the increase of 9.9 percent.”Richardson said people who can’t pay the higher bill should contact the Revenue Department to set up a payment plan.