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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Bedford County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Bedford County, PA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.50% base rate, varies by district due to municipal and school district additions
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Bedford County, Pennsylvania operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and emergency services. Property taxes are calculated based on assessed values determined by the county assessment office, with the current tax rate of 1.50% for 2025 applying to the assessed value of real estate properties.

The effective tax rate in Bedford County can vary depending on your specific location within the county due to special taxing districts, school district boundaries, and municipal assessments. These additional levies may include fire protection districts, library districts, or special improvement areas. Property owners should verify their total tax rate by checking all applicable taxing authorities for their specific parcel, as the combined rate may differ from the base county rate.

Property taxes in Bedford County are typically paid in two installments, providing flexibility for homeowners while ensuring steady revenue flow for local government services. The county assessment office maintains property records and handles exemption applications, while the Tax Claim Bureau manages collection of delinquent taxes.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County Rate1.50%Core county services and operations (FY 2025)
School DistrictVariesRanges by specific school district within county
MunicipalVariesCity/township taxes (varies by municipality)
Special DistrictsVariesFire, library, or improvement districts where applicable

Note: The 1.50% base rate applies to levy year 2025. Total effective rates vary significantly by location within Bedford County due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions. School district rates and municipal assessments can add substantially to the base county rate. Property owners should consult their tax bill or contact the Bedford County Assessment Office for their specific total rate, which may range from 2.0% to 3.5% or higher depending on location and applicable special districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Bedford County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Bedford County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction completion, major renovations that increase assessed value, changes in property use (such as residential to commercial), or corrections to assessment errors discovered mid-year.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, it is calculated by determining the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, then applying the current tax rate to that difference. The tax is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the tax year from when the change became effective.

Example: If a homeowner completes a $100,000 addition in March, and the county assesses this improvement at $80,000 in additional value, the supplemental tax would be calculated as: $80,000 × 1.50% × (10 months remaining ÷ 12 months) = $1,000 supplemental tax due. This supplemental bill would be issued separately from the regular annual tax bill and typically has its own due date, usually 30 days from the date of assessment.

Example Calculation

Property Value: $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$12,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $288,000
  • Annual Tax (1.50% base rate): $4,320
  • Monthly Escrow: $360

Property Value: $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$12,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $588,000
  • Annual Tax (1.50% base rate): $8,820
  • Monthly Escrow: $735

Property Value: $1,000,000

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): -$12,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $988,000
  • Annual Tax (1.50% base rate): $14,820
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,235

Important Notes: These calculations use only the base county rate of 1.50%. Actual tax bills will be higher due to school district and municipal taxes. Credits shown require separate application and are not automatic. Homestead credits typically limit assessment increases rather than providing a flat reduction. Contact Bedford County Assessment Office to apply for available credits and determine your total effective tax rate including all applicable districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Bedford County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment, though some lenders may require escrow regardless of down payment amount. The lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment, holding these funds in a separate account to pay property taxes when due.

Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the annual property tax amount each month, plus an additional cushion (usually 2 months) to ensure sufficient funds are available. Since Bedford County taxes are due in two installments (September 1 and December 1), your lender will make payments on these dates directly to the county tax collector.

Property owners with escrow accounts should receive an annual escrow analysis from their lender, showing the previous year's tax payments and any adjustments needed for the coming year. If property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, monthly escrow payments will be adjusted accordingly. You can verify that your lender has made tax payments by checking with Bedford County online payment system or contacting the tax collector's office directly.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Bedford County property taxes due for 2025? A: Property taxes are due in two installments: first installment by September 1, 2025, and second installment by December 1, 2025. These dates apply to fiscal year 2025 tax bills.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The Homestead Credit is available for primary residences and requires annual application. Senior citizens may qualify for additional credits under the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. All credits require separate application - none are automatic. Contact Bedford County Assessment Office for applications and deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit doesn't reduce your home's market value, but rather limits how much your assessed value can increase each year (typically to 10% or less). You must file an application with Bedford County to receive this protection against assessment increases.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Bedford County? A: Pennsylvania law requires counties to maintain assessments at market value, but Bedford County's specific reassessment schedule varies. Property owners can appeal assessments through the Board of Assessment Appeals, with specific deadlines following any reassessment notice.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Taxes not paid by December 31st of the tax year are turned over to the Tax Claim Bureau for collection, which adds additional fees and may eventually lead to tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Bedford County offers online payment options through their official website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may incur processing fees.

Q: Do special districts add to my tax bill? A: Yes, depending on your location, you may pay additional taxes for fire protection, library services, or special improvement districts. These appear as separate line items on your tax bill and vary by geographic area within the county.

Q: What if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You can appeal your assessment to the Bedford County Board of Assessment Appeals. Appeals must be filed within specific timeframes after receiving an assessment notice. Consider hiring a professional appraiser to support your appeal with comparable property data.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
FACT SHEET: Additional Seniors Qualify for Rebates ...pa.gov
02
State
2025-26 Real Estate Tax Ratespa.gov
03
Reappraisal Schedule - Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasurycomptroller.tn.gov
04
County
Real Estate Tax | County of Bedford, Virginiabedfordcountyva.gov
05
County
Inheritance Tax - Somerset County Governmentco.somerset.pa.us
06
County
Cuyahoga County Treasurer Pay Your Taxescuyahogacounty.gov
07
Tax Doc
Property Tax Relief Through Homestead Exclusion - PA DCEDdced.pa.gov
08
Tax Doc
Real Tax Reliefcumberlandcountypa.gov
09
County
COUNTY APPLICATION FOR HOMESTEAD AND ...co.lancaster.pa.us
10
County
Tax Claim Bureau | Bucks County, PAbuckscounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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