Real estate tax notification
The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is legally required by the Philadelphia Code [10-1305(2)(b) (.1) to send qualifying Real Estate Tax accounts a warning of risk of tax foreclosure. Please read the full notice and take action.
If you receive this warning, this means records show that you owe Real Estate Taxes and have not entered into a payment agreement. This letter includes a bill with the address of the property and the amount due. If you can pay this bill in full, please do so. If you can’t pay the bill, we encourage you to get into a payment agreement. If you do not pay in full, or enter into an agreement, you may face legal action. Legal action could eventually include foreclosure, meaning the sale of your property at a public auction.
The 2026 Real Estate tax bill was due March 31, 2026. If you don’t pay in full or enter into a payment agreement by December 31, 2026, the City can start the foreclosure process. If you owe debt for previous years, we can take legal action to collect this debt at any time. This legal action may include foreclosure on your property. We can also file a lien against your property for debt, including but not limited to: Real Estate Tax, Commercial Trash Fees, L&I Abatement Invoices, and Water/Sewer charges.
Waiting to pay only increases your bill. If your 2026 Real Estate Tax is still unpaid on January 1, 2027, you will face extra costs, such as:
- January 1, 2027 – Lien charges and interest
- February 1, 2027 – Penalties, attorney’s fees, and other costs or expenses
If you also owe Real Estate Taxes for previous years, the City can take legal action at any time before December 31, 2026. For complete balance information, visit the Philadelphia Tax Center.
To pay the Real Estate Tax in full
Online
You can pay using the Philadelphia Tax Center, remember eCheck is free! (There are fees for debit or credit card payments.)
By phone
Call (833) 913-0795.
By mail
Make check, money order, or other certified funds payable to City of Philadelphia.
Remember to include your OPA Account Number!
Mail to:
City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue
PO Box 8409,
Philadelphia,
PA 19101-8409.
In person
You can bring your payment to one of our locations:
- Municipal Services Building
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd
This location accepts cash
- Northeast Philadelphia satellite office
7522 Castor Ave.
The locations do not accept cash
- North Philadelphia satellite office
2761 N. 22nd St.
The locations do not accept cash
All offices are open Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5 P.M., and accept check, money order, other certified funds, credit or debit.
Note: eCheck is always FREE of processing charges! Fees apply for debit or credit payments.
Can’t pay in full? Enter into a payment agreement
You may be eligible for taxpayer assistance programs, including the Homestead Exemption and tax relief.
Owner-occupied payment agreements
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- You must have an ownership interest and live in the property to qualify
- Allows affordable monthly payments based on your income and ability to pay
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- You do not need to live in the property to qualify
- The City will work with you to arrange a payment agreement
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Need more help? You have a right to housing counseling
Housing counseling and legal services agencies are trained to help homeowners with delinquent Real Estate taxes free of charge. Visit phila.gov/dhcd/housing-counseling/ to learn more. Free housing counseling and legal services agencies are trained to help homeowners with delinquent Real Estate Taxes.
Be aware of other charges and liens
In addition to property taxes, other amounts owed to the City of Philadelphia may be filed as liens against the property, including, but not limited to, water and sewer charges, Commercial Trash (Refuse) fees, and nuisance and demolition fees and fines.
For more information, including amounts due, call:
- Water Revenue Bureau at (215) 685-6300
- Commercial Trash Fees at (215) 686-6442 (previously known as Refuse Fee)
- Department of Licenses and Inspections abatement invoices at (215) 686-6442