HonestCasa logoHonestCasa
All Tax Guides
Updated 2025 Tax Year

Bucks County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
Calculate Your True CostMortgage Calculator
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value - varies by municipality and school district
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, represent a significant source of funding for essential local services including public schools, municipal operations, emergency services, and county government functions. The county operates under Pennsylvania's decentralized property tax system, where multiple taxing authorities levy separate rates on the same properties. Property owners typically receive bills from county government, township/borough authorities, and school districts, with taxes calculated based on assessed property values determined by the Bucks County Assessment Office.

Effective property tax rates in Bucks County vary considerably by location within the county, ranging from approximately 1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value depending on your specific municipality and school district. For example, Bristol Township levies real estate taxes totaling 23.98 mills (2.398%), though this represents just one jurisdiction's rate structure. Your actual tax burden depends on the combined rates of all taxing authorities serving your property location, including any special assessment districts for services like libraries, fire protection, or municipal improvements.

Bucks County assesses properties at 100% of fair market value, with countywide reassessments conducted periodically to maintain equity and accuracy. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not impose a statewide assessment cap, though individual taxpayers may qualify for homestead and farmstead exclusions that limit assessment increases on qualifying properties.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Property tax rates in Bucks County are expressed in mills, where one mill equals $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. Rates vary significantly by location due to different municipal and school district boundaries.

ComponentRate RangeDescription
County Tax2.0-3.5 millsBucks County general operations, courts, human services
Municipal Tax3.0-8.0 millsTownship/borough services, police, public works
School District Tax15.0-25.0 millsLocal school district operations and debt service
Fire/EMS Tax0.5-2.0 millsEmergency services (where applicable)
Library Tax0.2-0.8 millsPublic library systems (select municipalities)
Total Combined20.7-39.3 millsVaries by specific property location

Note: These rates reflect approximate ranges for levy year 2024-2025. Bristol Township, for example, levies 23.98 mills total. Actual rates vary by your specific combination of county, municipal, and school district jurisdictions. Contact the Bucks County Assessment Office at 215-348-6000 for your property's exact taxing authorities and current rates.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Bucks 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 tax assessments in Bucks County occur when property values change mid-tax year due to new construction, major improvements, or ownership transfers that trigger reassessment. When you add square footage, complete substantial renovations, or when the county identifies previously unassessed improvements, a supplemental bill covers the additional tax liability for the remaining portion of the current tax year.

The supplemental tax calculation uses the difference between your old and new assessed values, multiplied by the applicable mill rate, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in September and your combined mill rate is 25 mills, your supplemental assessment would be $2,500 annually ($100,000 × 0.025), prorated to approximately $1,250 for the remaining six months of that tax year.

Supplemental bills are issued quarterly for properties with mid-year changes, separate from your regular March county/township bills and July school district bills. Property owners must pay supplemental assessments within 30 days of the bill date. Note that any REV-1500 supplemental filing requires a $25 filing fee payable to the Register of Wills.

Example Calculation

The following examples show annual property tax calculations for three assessed values in a hypothetical Bucks County location with a combined mill rate of 24.0 mills (2.4%), assuming qualified homestead exclusion applications have been filed:

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Exclusion Applied: -$5,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $295,000
  • Annual Tax: $295,000 × 0.024 = $7,080
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $590

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Exclusion Applied: -$5,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $595,000
  • Annual Tax: $595,000 × 0.024 = $14,280
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $1,190

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Homestead Exclusion Applied: -$5,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $995,000
  • Annual Tax: $995,000 × 0.024 = $23,880
  • Monthly Escrow Payment: $1,990

Note: Homestead and farmstead exclusions require annual application by March 1st deadline and are not automatically applied. Actual mill rates vary by specific location within Bucks County. Contact your local tax collector or Bucks County Assessment Office at 215-348-6000 for location-specific rates and available tax credit programs.

See How Taxes Affect Your Payment

Property taxes are just part of your total monthly cost. Get the full picture.

Calculate Now
Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Bucks County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments and protect their collateral interests. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments equal to your estimated annual property tax bill divided by twelve, plus a small cushion to account for potential increases. These funds are held in a separate escrow account and used to pay your tax bills when due.

Property tax bills in Bucks County follow a split payment schedule: county and township taxes are typically due March 1st, while school district taxes are due July 1st. Your escrow servicer should receive and pay these bills automatically, but you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring payments are made correctly and on time. Review your annual escrow analysis statement carefully to understand how your monthly payment is calculated and to identify any shortage or surplus adjustments.

To verify your escrow payments are current, monitor your property tax status through the Bucks County tax portal or contact your local tax collectors directly. If you pay taxes independently without escrow, remember that delinquent taxes exceeding 18 months must be paid with certified funds directly to the Tax Claim Bureau office. For delinquent tax questions, contact the Tax Claim Bureau at 215-348-6274.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Bucks County for fiscal year 2024-2025? A: County and township taxes are due March 1st, while school district taxes are due July 1st. Interim bills for properties with mid-year changes are sent quarterly throughout the year.

Q: What tax credits are available, and do they require application? A: The primary tax credit programs are homestead and farmstead exclusions, which reduce your taxable assessed value. Both require annual application by March 1st deadline and are NOT automatically applied. Contact the Bucks County Assessment Office at 215-348-6000 or your local tax collector for applications and eligibility requirements.

Q: How does the homestead exclusion work? A: The homestead exclusion provides a tax credit by reducing your property's taxable assessed value, typically by several thousand dollars. It also caps assessment increases to help limit year-over-year tax growth. You must apply annually by March 1st - it is not automatic even if you qualified previously.

Q: How often does Bucks County reassess properties? A: Bucks County conducts periodic countywide reassessments to maintain equity and reflect current market values. Properties are assessed at 100% of fair market value. Individual properties may be reassessed when ownership transfers or improvements are made.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late property tax payments incur penalties and interest charges. Taxes delinquent for 18 months or more must be paid with certified funds directly to the Tax Claim Bureau office at 215-348-6274. Prolonged delinquency can result in tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Payment options vary by local tax collector. Contact your specific municipal tax collector and school district for available online payment methods and accepted forms of payment.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Bucks County Board of Assessment Appeals within specific deadlines after receiving notice of assessment changes. Contact the Assessment Office at 215-348-6000 for appeal procedures and deadlines.

Q: Why do I receive multiple tax bills? A: Bucks County properties are taxed by multiple authorities: county government, local municipality (township/borough), school district, and potentially special districts for fire, library, or other services. Each may send separate bills with different due dates.

Q: What is the filing fee for supplemental assessments? A: Any supplemental or individual transferee REV-1500 filing requires a $25 filing fee. Checks should be made payable to "Register of Wills" and submitted with the required documentation.

Q: Where can I get help with tax relief applications? A: For questions about homestead, farmstead, or other tax relief programs, contact your local tax collector or the Bucks County Assessment Office at 215-348-6000. Applications for property tax relief must be submitted by the March 1st deadline.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Proposed 2025 Budget Presentation ...bristoltwppa.gov
02
State
2025-26 Real Estate Tax Ratespa.gov
03
County
7/7/2025 Countybuckscounty.gov
04
Tax Doc
Paying Your Taxesbuckscounty.gov
05
Tax Doc
Tax Claim Bureaubuckscounty.gov
06
County
Frequently Asked Questions | Bucks County, PAbuckscounty.gov
07
Tax Doc
Property Tax RELIEF APPLICATION FOR HOMESTEAD ...buckscounty.gov
08
2025 homestead application for mailing.pdfbuckscounty.gov
09
Board of Assessment Appealsbuckscounty.gov
10
County
Inheritance Tax | Bucks County, PAbuckscounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

See the Full Picture of Your Home Costs

Property taxes are just one piece of homeownership. HonestCasa helps you understand your total monthly cost and explore safe ways to access your home equity.

Total Monthly Cost

Mortgage + taxes + insurance + HOA

Equity Growth

Track how your equity grows over time

Safe Equity Access

Options for projects or debt payoff

Run Your ScenarioTry Calculator

Free • No credit check • 2-minute estimate