Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery, will introduce legislation to extend the tax filing deadlines for Pennsylvanians who pay school property taxes. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Rosemary M. Brown, R-Pike/Monroe, and Steven R. Malagari, D-Montgomery.

“In addition to the significant health impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on our Commonwealth, it is also having a massive financial impact on our property taxpayers and we must provide some help,” Stephens said.

More than a million Pennsylvanians are out of work and with businesses shuttered they are experiencing huge revenue losses as well. The federal and state governments have extended their tax filing deadlines and have permitted municipalities to delay collection of their taxes.

To help property taxpayers, the proposed legislation would extend the discount period during which school property taxpayers may pay their property taxes at the discounted rate by one month and extend the face value period before any penalty would be imposed until Dec. 31, 2020.

“School taxes are one of the largest and most difficult taxes for our residents to pay on a normal basis,” Brown said. “Under these circumstances it’s going to be even more difficult. We must continue to try to give residents time and the ability to take advantage of the discount period.”

“This is an important measure to extend the tax deadlines and reduce penalties,” Malagari said. “It makes absolute sense to help provide some additional breathing room to people during this uncertain time. The least we can do for people is provide for some extra peace of mind during this year.”