Time running out to apply for Philly homestead rebate

Philadelphia homeowners are running out of time to sign up for the homestead rebate. More than a third of those who are eligible have not applied — and the deadline is Friday.

Kate Dreher of the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment says more than 200,000 Philadelphia homeowners have applied for the rebate, which exempts the first $30,000 of home value from the city property tax.

“We know that’s about 60 percent of the people who are eligible to apply, but we know that there are a lot of eligible homeowners who have not applied and have not taken advantage of this program,” she said.

Qualifying for the rebate is simple, Dreher said.

“The only two requirements are that you own your home and live in it as your primary residence,” she said. “There are no age or income restrictions, so we really think this is one of the easiest programs to qualify for.”

If you haven’t applied, you can call the homestead hotline at 215-686-9200 to apply over the phone; it will take just a few minutes, Dreher said. Or else you can apply online, www.phila.gov/opa.