Pennsylvania House passes bill to freeze property tax for homeowners

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that aims to freeze property taxes for longtime homeowners.

The legislation, The Longtime Owner-Occupant Program (LOOP), would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution by removing the “limitation permitting Longtime Owner-Occupant Programs.” However, it is important to note that currently, the legislation is only applicable to Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.

Lawmakers anticipate that the HB 2536 could pave the way for more legislation to allow all local taxing authorities the option to adopt programs to provide greater levels of tax relief for seniors.

LOOP looks to provide property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years. The program would exempt or defer property tax increases, even if the home assessment value increases in future years.

“This legislation would provide local governments a way to help those who have lived in their homes over a decade and have felt the burden of rapidly rising property taxes the most,” Representative Christina Sappey (D-Chester) said. “Our state constitution already allows Philadelphia and Allegheny counties the option of creating LOOPs. It’s time to make this mechanism available to the whole state. I believe creating options to address property tax burdens on an ever-aging state is a worthwhile endeavor.”

Philadelphia County has adopted a LOOP, which is operated by the Department of Revenue. It works to help taxpayers who have lived in their home for “a long period” and whose assessment has increased significantly.

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On the other hand, Allegheny County has yet to adopt an ordinance that would allow its municipalities to adopt a LOOP.

The bill is an amendment that removes the county limitation. This means, on its own, it does not have a municipal impact, according to Sappey. If it were passed in two consecutive sessions and approved by a public referendum, the General Assembly would then be permitted to consider legislation to allow other authorities to provide a LOOP.

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