Property Real Estate Taxes
Real Estate Tax: Dauphin County & East Hanover Township
On February 1st of each year, the county/township bills are mailed to all East Hanover Township property owners. In addition to real estate tax levies, the bill includes charges for county library, township fire, and streetlights, if applicable. If your escrow company requests the bill, they will receive the original and the property owner will receive a copy. In some cases, the property owner will be responsible for sending a copy of the bill to their escrow company.
Payment Dates
If postmarked or received by | Discount/Penalty |
February 1st – March 31st | 2% discount |
April 1st – May 31st | Face amount |
June 1st – July 31st | 5% Penalty |
August 1st – December 31st | 10% Penalty |
Questions regarding your assessed property value should be directed to Dauphin County Tax Assessment (717-780-6101).
If no bill was received by the second week of February, please contact me for a copy of your bill.
Real Estate Tax: Lower Dauphin School District
On July 1st of each year, Lower Dauphin School District real estate tax bills are mailed. These bills are ONLY mailed to the property owner, not to the mortgage companies. If taxes are escrowed, the property owner may be required to forward the bill to the mortgage company. The bill spans the time frame July 1st through June 30th .
Payment Dates
If postmarked or received by | Discount/Penalty |
July 1st – August 31st | 2% discount |
September 1st – October 31st | Face amount |
November 1st – December 31st | 10% Penalty |
There is an option to pay the tax amount in full OR in three installments. If you choose to pay 3 installments, there is no discount offered. The first payment must be made on or before August 31st. The second payment is due by Oct. 31st and the third and final payment is due by Nov. 30th. If the installment payment is made after these dates, a 10% penalty is added. Further information can be found on Lower Dauphin website.
If you do not receive a bill by the second week of July, please contact me for a copy of your bill.
Unpaid/Delinquent Real Estate Taxes
The unpaid County, Township, and School Real Estate Property taxes not paid or postmarked by December 31st are considered delinquent and are turned over to Dauphin County Tax Claim (717-780-6125). After February 1st, taxpayers must contact them regarding the exact amount due and payment must be made to Tax Claim. Costs and penalties have been added to the taxes but not interest. The Dauphin County Commissioners and all Taxing Authorities generally grant an interest-free grace period for delinquent taxes. If the tax is paid before April 1st, no interest will be added. All property owners with unpaid taxes will receive a letter from the Tax Claim Bureau the week of February 13th. The letter will explain the interest-free grace period and provide the amount due. Property owners can make payments on delinquent tax in any amounts until June 30. To avoid the property being offered for sale at the Upset Tax Sale, any remaining tax balance must be paid in full by September. No special arrangements are necessary to make these payments. Interest will accrue monthly on any unpaid balance at the rate of ¾% per month.
Interim Real Estate Taxes
If your property was newly constructed or renovated after the annual real estate tax bill was issued, property owners may receive an interim bill in March or August which is prorated for taxes due on the increased assessed value to your property. Interim bills are essentially a back-billing for the number of months which you had use of your newly constructed home/renovation, but the increase in assessment was not included in a previous county/township/school real estate tax bill.
Homestead/Farmstead Act
The Homestead/Farmstead Act Reduction is a funded program from excess casino profits. On your July Lower Dauphin School Real Estate tax bill your property’s reduction can be located in a gray box, clearly labeled “Homestead Reduction.” Property Tax Relief Through Homestead Exclusion - PA DCED
To qualify for Homestead Reduction
By March 1st submit application | https://dced.pa.gov/local-government/property-tax-relief-homestead-exclusion/ |
The following must apply to your property: | the property must be your primary residence AND you or your spouse cannot receive a homestead tax reduction from any other county or state |
if you have an in-home business, | the percentage of the home that is your primary residence is the percentage of homestead reduction you will receive |
If you own a farm, | your home and outside buildings qualify for the reduction, but the farmland will not. |
Applications and questions related to the Pennsylvania Tax Payer Relief Act, under the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion Program can be obtained by calling Dauphin County Tax Assessment Office at 717-780-6101 or
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible residents age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. If you qualified for last year, a claim form should automatically be sent to you. Property Tax/Rent Rebate booklets are available at the township building, through the Department of Aging (www.aging.state.pa.us 1-888-728-2937). To check the status of an existing rebate or information exclusively about the rebate program call 1-800-772-5246.