Can someone be exempt from property taxes?
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Can someone be exempt from property taxes?
I inherited a house when my parents passed away. There is no mortagage on the property. I’m on disability with a small pension ($1277.29 monthly). I cannot seem to save and be able to pay the property taxes. I am already 1 year behind. Is there anyway I can become exempt from these taxes?
Asked on June 8, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, there is no way for person to be exempt from property taxes--municipalities will sometimes provide a partial tax credit or tax abatement for business that relocate to the city, bringing jobs, but that's clearly a very different situation; individuals cannot be exempt from property tax.
If the home has no mortgage, you have 100% equity in it. If you can't afford the annual cost(s) of the home, like property taxes, you should probably sell the home, and then use the proceeds to either purchase a much less expensive (with lower taxes) home, townhome, condo, trailer, or co-op, or to rent an apartment. After all, if the home yields proceeds of, say $250k after paying costs, realtor commissions, etc., and you can find a place renting for $1k per month, the proceeds of the home would pay for 250 months, or almost 21 years, of rent.
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