If you own a home in Richland Township, you might be leaving money on the table. Property taxes add up, and every dollar counts. In this quick guide, you’ll learn what the homestead exclusion is, if you qualify, how to apply by the March 1 deadline, and how to estimate your savings with Allegheny County and Pine-Richland School District. Let’s dive in.
What the homestead exclusion is
The homestead exclusion reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence. It lowers the value used to calculate certain local property taxes, not your market value or sale price. For a statewide overview of how it works, see the Commonwealth’s summary of property tax relief programs on pa.gov.
State law also sets limits on how much a local taxing body can exclude. The cap is generally one half of the median assessed value of homesteads in that jurisdiction, as outlined in Pennsylvania statute Title 53, Section 8586.
How it works in Richland Township
Richland Township homeowners pay property taxes to Allegheny County, Pine-Richland School District, and the township. Each body decides if and how it applies the homestead exclusion within state rules.
Allegheny County savings
Allegheny County administers the Act 50 Homestead/Farmstead program and applies a fixed $18,000 assessed-value exclusion to approved homesteads for county taxes. The county’s application deadline is March 1 for the current tax year. You can find the application, instructions, and details on the county’s Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion page.
County approval under Act 50 also serves as your application for school tax relief under Act 1, so you typically do not submit a separate school-district form.
Pine-Richland school tax relief
Pine-Richland uses the county’s approved list of homesteads. The school tax exclusion is calculated each year, so the amount you see on your bill can change. The district publishes the annual Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion in its budget materials. You can review current budget documents on Pine-Richland’s budget page.
To understand how these amounts can vary by district and year, see the presentation style used in a nearby district’s budget notes, such as Fox Chapel’s 2024–2025 reference figure, on the Fox Chapel Area School District budget page.
Township participation
Municipalities can choose to offer a homestead exclusion for their portion of taxes. Participation and amounts are set locally within the state’s statutory limits. The legal framework for municipal exclusions is outlined in Title 53, Section 8586. Check the township’s tax office for current participation.
Who qualifies
You qualify if the property is your primary, owner-occupied residence. Only one homestead is allowed per owner. Certain mixed-use properties, qualifying farmsteads, properties in trusts that remain your primary residence, and dwellings owned by veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can also qualify. See the county’s criteria and instructions on the Allegheny County Act 50 page.
How and when to apply
- Complete the Allegheny County Act 50 application by March 1 for it to apply to that year and future years.
- Once approved, you usually do not need to reapply unless the deed changes or you move.
- The county’s approval serves both county and school-tax relief. Find the form and mailing details on the county’s Act 50 page.
How to check your status
Use Allegheny County’s online property search and look for “Homestead = Yes” under the General Information tab of your property record. The county explains how to confirm status and who to contact for help on its Act 50 information page.
How much you could save
- County example: The $18,000 exclusion reduces county taxes by the exclusion multiplied by the county millage. Using the example millage of 6.43 mills (0.00643), the county savings would be about $115.74 for that year.
- School savings: Pine-Richland’s amount is set annually in the budget and is applied equally to all approved homesteads. Check the current year’s budget documents or your school tax bill for the exact figure on the Pine-Richland budget page.
- Township savings: If the township participates, that reduction would be added to your total savings. Participation and limits follow state statute.
Total savings are the sum of county, school, and any municipal reductions for your property.
Quick checklist for Richland homeowners
- Confirm your school district is Pine-Richland by address. You can learn more about the district on Wikipedia’s Pine-Richland overview.
- If you have not filed, submit the Allegheny County Act 50 application by March 1.
- If you already filed, verify your record shows “Homestead = Yes.”
- Estimate savings using county millage for the county portion and the Pine-Richland budget for the school portion.
- Keep your approval on file for future reference.
When to update or remove
- If you sell your home, the county removes the homestead status after the sale is recorded, typically effective January 1 of the following year.
- If the deed changes, you move, or you transfer the property to or from a trust, you may need to reapply.
- Only one homestead per person is allowed. Multiple claims can lead to removal, interest, penalties, and fines. Allegheny County lists these rules and procedures on its Act 50 page.
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FAQs
What is the homestead exclusion for Allegheny County homeowners?
- It lowers the taxable assessed value of your primary residence for certain local taxes, which can reduce your total property tax bill; see the county’s overview on the Act 50 page and the state summary on pa.gov.
What is the application deadline for Richland Township residents?
- Submit the Allegheny County Act 50 application by March 1 for it to take effect that tax year; details are on the county’s Act 50 page.
Do I need a separate Pine-Richland school application?
- No. County approval under Act 50 serves as your application for Act 1 school tax relief; the school district uses the county’s approved list, as noted by Allegheny County.
How is Pine-Richland’s school tax savings calculated each year?
- The district sets the annual amount during its budget process and applies it equally to approved homesteads; check current figures on Pine-Richland’s budget page.
What happens to my homestead status when I sell my Richland home?
- The county removes the status after a recorded sale, typically effective on January 1 of the following year; see removal rules on the county’s Act 50 page.
What limits how large a homestead exclusion can be?
- State law caps exclusions, generally at one half of the median assessed value in the taxing jurisdiction; see Title 53, Section 8586.
