ACT 1
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 (Act 1) is a state law intended to ease the financial burden of homeownership by providing school districts the means to lower property taxes to homeowners with funding provided by gaming revenue.
 
Homestead/Farmstead Applications

Chester County Residents:

If you have not applied and been approved for the Homestead/Farmstead exemption, or if you need to change your current Homestead/Farmstead status, click on the link below to download and print the application form and instructions.  Please note: the deadline to file your Homestead/Farmstead application is March 1st each year.

https://www.chesco.org/254/Homestead-Farmstead-Exclusion-Program

Chester County residents may call Chester County Assessment Office at 610-344-6105 to check the status of their homestead filing. 

Delaware County Residents:

To request a Homestead/Farmstead application please email the West Chester Area School District Real Estate Tax Department at taxes@wcasd.net.  

Delaware County Residents may check the status of their Homestead/Farmstead filing on-line by clicking on the following link https://www.delcopa.gov/ and by clicking on the following: 

Public Access > Real Estate Tax System  > Continue to Tax Records & Check your Homestead Status  > Select Search Criteria  > Click on “I Agree”  > Proceed as Directed  

Homestead/Farmstead Information for Both Counties: 

Applications for new residents are mailed in December.  If you have purchased your current residence within the last year the status on your account may be for the prior owner.  You must complete your application and return it to the County Homestead/Farmstead Office by March 1st.  Taxpayers who own multiple properties may only claim Homestead on their personal residence.

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The earned income tax is a tax levied as a percent of earned income and or net profits.  The West Chester Area School District along with the Municipalities located within the District boundaries share in the levy of a 1% earned income tax.  The share is divided equally among the District and the Municipality.

The Local Tax Enabling Act requires every employer having a place of business within the District to register with the earned income tax officer of that district. For the West Chester Area School District, the officer is:

Keystone Collections Group
www.keystonecollects.com
1-866-539-1100

All employers with a place of business within the taxing jurisdiction are required by law to deduct the earned income tax from their employees.

The West Chester Area School District ordinance contains a provision imposing the earned income tax on both residents and nonresidents. Accordingly, the employer is required to withhold from all employees regardless of their place of residence and remit the taxes to Keystone Collections Group. The responsibility for transmitting withheld taxes of nonresidents to the employees’ place of residence rests with Keystone Collections Group, not with the employer.

If you live and work in Pennsylvania, you can e-file on our tax administrator’s secure website, which is available 24/7 at www.KeystoneCollects.com. Keystone Collections Group’s e-file https://efile.keystonecollects.com/account/logon?returnurl=%2fis the easy, fast and secure way to file your tax return.  It lets you file your tax return when it is most convenient for you. You will need your W-2, your Social Security Number and any other income documents that may apply (such as a PA-UE or a Schedule C).

If you have questions regarding local tax filing, visit Keystone’s Frequently Asked Questions or call Keystone’s Taxpayer Helpline at 1-888-328-0565 to speak with a local, knowledgeable Taxpayer Service Agent. You can also email your questions 24/7 to Taxpayer Support. Taxpayer Service Agents try to respond to all online inquiries within three business days.

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Discount due date:  August 31

Face due date:  October 31

After October 31, the penalty amount will be due. 

 

Due dates if paying by the installment plan:

Installment #1 due date:  July 31

Installment #2 due date:  August 31

Installment #3 due date:  September 30

Installment #4 due date:  October 31

 

Installment Tax Payment Information:  Installment tax payments are available on the annual school real estate tax bills only.  There are 4 installments. 

Discounts are not permitted on installment payments.  A 10% penalty is added to each late installment payment.  If the first installment is not paid by the due date, the entire bill will be due in a lump sum.   

Installment payments not received by December 31, will be turned over to Chester County Tax Claim Bureau or to Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau for Thornbury Township, Delaware County properties.  

We will only accept cashiers or certified checks or money orders between December 1 and December 31. No payments will be accepted after December 31.  Berkheimer will be closed December 24 through January 1.  Therefore, complete and full payment must be postmarked no later than December 31.  A lien will be entered with Chester County Tax Claim Bureau (610-344-6360) or Delaware County Tax Claim Bureau (610-891-4284) on January 15 for all unpaid taxes.

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Please detach the bottom portion of your bill and send with your payment.  If paying in installments please send the applicable installment stub.

Make checks payable to: West Chester Area School District

Mail payment to: West Chester Area School District, PO Box 4787, Lancaster, PA 17604

Mailed payments must have U.S. Post Office Postmark indicating mailing by due date. Postage meter stamps will not be accepted unless cancelled by the U.S. Post Office.

Post-dated checks will not be accepted.

Mailed payments must include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the receipt. 

There is a minimum $20.00 service charge for checks returned for any reason.

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Make checks payable to:  West Chester Area School District

Payment in Person:  At any branch of Fulton Bank during regular banking hours.  Fulton Bank cannot accept payments without the bill.  For branch locations go to www.fultonbank.com.

Post-dated checks will not be accepted.

To avoid penalties, payments made at the end of any period should be paid in person at any branch of Fulton Bank.

Receipts – Please present the entire bill at the time of payment whether paid in person or by mail. 

There is a minimum $20.00 service charge for checks returned for any reason.

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Mailed payments that include a self-addressed stamped envelope will receive a receipt returned. 

Otherwise, please visit:  https://www.hab-inc.com/ret/  and choose “Receipt Request”.

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Tax bills are mailed out by July 1^st each year to the name and address that the Assessment Office has on record at the time the bills are printed.  If you have not received your tax bill by July 7^th, please contact Berkheimer and request a duplicate bill.  The customer service department can be reached at 866-300-1714.

You may also request a duplicate bill online by visiting https://www.hab-inc.com/ret/ and choosing “Request a Duplicate Bill”. 

Failure to receive your tax bill does not eliminate your need to make timely payment.

Act 57 became effective July 1, 2023 for the 2023-24 school tax bills.  Act 57 requires tax collectors to waive the imposition of penalties, interest and other charges previously imposed for the late payment of real estate taxes in certain LIMITED instances.  Act 57 was intended to remedy the situation when a new property owner does not receive a real estate tax bill, and only learns of the real estate taxes owed through a delinquency notice. 

In order for a taxpayer to take advantage of relief under Act 57, the taxpayer must complete and sign form DCED-CLGS-70 titled Request for Waiver of Additional Charges (INSERT FORM HERE) within 12 months of acquiring a property.  To be considered for the waiver, the taxpayer must prove their acquisition and ownership of the taxed property, sign an affirmation statement stating the real estate tax bill for the property was not received by the taxpayer and pay the entire amount of the face value of the real estate taxes owed on the property at the time the waiver form is submitted.  All waiver forms and support must be emailed to RET@hab-inc.com or mailed to Berkheimer Attn:  Real Estate Tax, 50 N. Bangor, PA  18013.  Any questions on the status of a submitted form must be directed to Berkheimer at 866-300-1714. 

NOTE- an approved waiver will waive penalties and interest, it will not honor the discount amount.

Act 57 became effective July 1, 2023.  As such, it is related to circumstances where the transfer of property occurred after July 1, 2023.

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When certain improvements are made to your property, the assessed value of your home may be increased by the County Board of Assessment.  The County Board of Assessment will notify the School District of the additional assessment and the effective date of the change.  The District will forward this notice to Berkheimer and a bill for that additional assessment will be issued.  An interim bill is in addition to your annual bill.

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No, it is the responsibility of the property owner to request a tax bill if one is not received.  All tax bills are mailed to the owner and address that the Assessment Office has on record at the time the bills are printed.  If you have not received your tax bill by July 7th, please contact Berkheimer and request a duplicate bill.  The customer service department can be reached at 866-300-1714.

You may also request a duplicate bill online by visiting https://www.hab-inc.com/ret/ and choosing “Request a Duplicate Bill”. 

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Qualified seniors and permanently disabled citizens can visit the Pennsylvania Tax/Rent Rebate Program website for more information on the rebate.

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The State determines funding sources for schools. At the present time, property owners are responsible for funding schools. The current process benefits the entire community through the appreciation of your property value.

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The code number for West Chester Area School District code for income tax purposes is 15900.

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Please contact Berkheimer and request a duplicate bill.  The customer service department can be reached at 866-300-1714.

You may also request a duplicate bill online by visiting https://www.hab-inc.com/ret/ and choosing “Request a Duplicate Bill”. 

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If your mortgage company pays your real estate taxes, you should forward a copy of your tax bill to your mortgage company as soon as it is received.

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Yes. This is not to be confused with making unauthorized partial payments. The only acceptable payments will be printed on your tax bill. If you choose to pay in installments, please use the payment coupons that you received with your tax bill.

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The taxpayer should visit Berkheimer’s website, www.hab-inc.com to process their credit card payment.  Taxpayers who do not have access to the internet may call Berkheimer at 866-300-1714 to pay by phone. 

A convenience fee will be automatically calculated and charged by Official Payments Corporation/ACI Worldwide for the use of this service.  The taxpayer will be advised of the convenience fee and may either confirm the convenience fee to be charged to their credit card or exit out of the payment session.  West Chester Area School District does not receive any portion of the convenience fee.  All fees for credit card online payments will be charged to the taxpayer. 

Taxpayers will need to enter the Account Number, including all 0’s and hyphens, and bill number from their current tax bill when paying either online or by phone. 

Please Note:  You will be given a confirmation number at the end of your transaction.  Please keep a record of your confirmation number.  It will be required if you need to contact Official Payments or Berkheimer about your payment. 

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Check with your mortgage company to be sure that they paid taxes on the correct parcel. Ask them if the check has been cashed. If the company continues to believe the bill was paid, ask them to contact Berkheimer’s customer service department at (866) 300-1714.

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If you no longer own the property, please return the bill to Berkheimer indicating that the property was sold. You should also contact the Chester County Assessment office at (610) 344-6105 to verify that the title has been transferred.

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Title companies generally pro-rate the taxes between buyer and seller at the time of settlement. If the taxes are already paid, the buyer will reimburse you for the number of days left in the tax year. If the taxes are not paid, they are collected at settlement. If, at the time of settlement, you already paid in discount, it will benefit you and the buyer.

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Please complete the WCASD Change of Address for Tax billing form.

Chester County Change of Mailing Address form

Delaware County Change of Mailing Address form

Address changes or corrections should be reported to this office in addition to the County Treasurer, your township tax office and the County Assessment Office. All changes must be recorded at the appropriate County Assessment Office to make the change permanent:

Chester County Assessment Office
313 W. Market Street, Suite 4202
PO Box 2748
West Chester, PA 19380-0991
Phone: 610-344-6105
Fax: 610-344-5902

Delaware County Board
Of Assessments and Appeals
Delaware County Courthouse
Government Center Building
Media, PA 19063
610-891-4894
Phone: 610-891-4894

Send changes in writing using the Change of Mailing Address form to:

West Chester Area School District
484-266-1034
Attn: Tax Records
782 Springdale Drive
Exton, PA 19341
Or send e-mail to: jmatthews@wcasd.net

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Borough/Township	Phone Number
West Chester Borough	610-436-1359
West Whiteland Township	610-363-9525 ext2120
East Bradford Township	724-978-0300
West Goshen Township	610-696-5266
East Goshen Township	610-692-7171
Thornbury Township (Chester County)	610-399-1425
Westtown Township	610-692-1930
Thornbury Township (Delaware County)	610-459-8475

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The District is not empowered to make this change. Taxpayers must call the Chester County Board of Assessment at (610) 344-6105 for information about making this change.

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The Board of Assessment places an assessment of the value on your property. The school district sets a mill rate (an amount of tax paid on every $1000 assessment) according to budget needs. Your tax bill is a calculation of the assessment, times the mill rate, less any applicable discounts for early payments or Homestead discount.

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Chester County Property Owners contact: 

Berkheimer
RET Certification
50 N. 7th Street
Bangor, PA 18013 

Telephone:  1-866-300-1714 option #8
Fax:  610-588-5765
Email:  RET@hab-inc.com  

Thornbury Township Delaware County Property Owners contact: 

Katie Gricco, Tax Collector
P.O. Box 1028
Westtown, PA 19395-9998 

Telephone:  Katie Gricco, 484-315-8342

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