Dauphin County Commissioners vote to waive real estate tax fees

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Dauphin County Commissioners recently approved a resolution waiving penalties for real estate taxes and extending the face period for 2020.

The changes are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The face rate is the payment amount that is typically due in April or May. The resolution extends this to Dec. 31.

Dauphin County has four payment periods for real estate tax: a 2 percent discount period in February/March, the face period, a 5 percent penalty period in June/July, and a 10 percent penalty period in August-December.

The resolution waives both the 5 percent and 10 percent penalties so long as payments are received or postmarked by Dec. 31. Any resident or settlement company that makes a payment, including the penalty, will have the overpayment refunded.

Payments postmarked after Dec. 31 will incur the 10 percent penalty.

“As government leaders, we have a duty to help those who are suffering job or economic loss from the pandemic and the state’s mandatory closure of non-essential businesses,” Jeff Haste, Board of Commissioners chairman, said. “Having across-the-board support for this effort was important for our residents and business owners.”

Residents with questions should contact the Dauphin County Treasurer’s Office.

The county’s 40 municipalities also waived municipal tax penalties.