The Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of Special Session 1 of 2006, was signed into law by Governor Rendell on June 27, 2006. The Act provides for property tax reduction allocations to be distributed by the Commonwealth to each school district in each year that the taxpayer relief fund has a $400 million minimum, as certified by the State Treasurer by April 15 of each year. The school district distributes its allocated amount to all approved homesteads and farmsteads, as evidenced by an approved homestead/farmstead exclusion from the Berks County Assessment Office.

Each year by December 31, applications are mailed to all properties without an approved homestead/farmstead exclusion. To apply for a homestead/farmstead exclusion, submit a completed application to the Berks County Assessment Office by March 1. The Berks County Assessment Office will notify you of the status of your application.

If you did not receive a homestead/farmstead application and you checked the assessment office website and you are not already approved, contact the Business Office at 717-933-4611 x 1012 for an application. 

More information on the Taxpayer Relief Act can be found on the Department of Education’s website at www.pde.state.pa.us .