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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Fayette County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Fayette 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
2-4% of assessed value annually (varies by school district and municipality combination)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Fayette County, Pennsylvania operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and special districts. Property taxes in Fayette County are based on assessed values determined by the County Assessment Office, with rates set annually by various taxing authorities including the county, school districts, and municipalities.

The effective property tax rate in Fayette County varies significantly by location due to different combinations of school district rates, municipal rates, and special taxing districts within specific areas. Property owners may pay taxes to multiple entities, with the total rate typically ranging from approximately 2% to 4% of assessed value annually. The county uses a base assessment rate structure, and unlike some Pennsylvania counties, there is no assessment cap limiting annual increases in assessed values.

Tax bills in Fayette County reflect the combination of all applicable taxing authorities for your specific property location. Rates can vary considerably even between neighboring properties if they fall within different school districts or special taxing districts, making location-specific rate information essential for accurate tax calculations.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Note: 2025 property tax rates for Fayette County are not yet finalized. Contact local taxing authorities for current rates.

ComponentEstimated Rate RangeDescription
County General Fund0.8-1.2%County operations, services, infrastructure
School District1.0-2.5%Public education funding (varies by district)
Municipal0.2-0.8%City/township services (varies by municipality)
Special Districts0.1-0.4%Fire districts, library districts, other special services

Total Estimated Range: 2.1-4.9% of assessed value

These rates apply to the fiscal year 2025-2026 tax levy. Actual rates vary significantly based on your property's location within specific school districts, municipalities, and special taxing districts. Properties in different areas of Fayette County will have different rate combinations. Contact the Fayette County Assessment Office at 724-430-1350 for location-specific rate information.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Fayette 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 property taxes in Fayette County are additional tax assessments that occur when there are changes to a property's assessed value or ownership status during the tax year. These typically arise from new construction, major improvements, changes in property use, or corrections to the original assessment.

When supplemental taxes are triggered, they are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, multiplied by the applicable tax rate, and prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change took effect. For example, if a $50,000 addition is completed in January and increases your assessed value, you would owe supplemental taxes on that additional value for the remainder of the tax year.

Example: A homeowner completes a $75,000 home addition in March. If the total tax rate is 3%, the annual supplemental tax would be $2,250 ($75,000 × 3%). Since the improvement was completed in March, the owner would owe approximately $1,687.50 for the remaining 9 months of the tax year ($2,250 × 9/12 months).

Example Calculation

These examples use estimated rates pending finalization of 2025 tax rates. Actual calculations will vary based on specific location within Fayette County.

$300,000 Property:

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Tax Credit Applied: -$500 (requires application)
  • Net Annual Tax: $8,500 (assuming 3.0% total rate)
  • Monthly Payment: $708

$600,000 Property:

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Tax Credit Applied: -$500 (requires application)
  • Net Annual Tax: $17,500 (assuming 3.0% total rate)
  • Monthly Payment: $1,458

$1,000,000 Property:

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Homestead Tax Credit Applied: -$500 (requires application)
  • Senior Citizen Tax Credit: -$300 (if applicable, requires application)
  • Net Annual Tax: $28,700 (assuming 3.0% total rate)
  • Monthly Payment: $2,392

Note: Tax credits shown require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Actual rates vary by specific location within the county due to different taxing districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Fayette County require property tax escrow accounts for homeowners with loans exceeding 80% loan-to-value ratio. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments as part of your mortgage payment and pays the taxes directly to the appropriate tax collectors on your behalf.

Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected, comparing estimated taxes with actual tax bills. If taxes increase, your monthly escrow payment may increase accordingly. Pennsylvania law requires lenders to provide advance notice of escrow payment changes, typically 60 days before implementation.

Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender has current contact information for all relevant tax collectors in Fayette County, as taxes may be paid to multiple entities (county, school district, municipality). You can monitor your escrow account through your lender's online portal and should review your annual escrow statement to ensure taxes are being paid correctly and on time.

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 Fayette County for 2025-2026? A: The general property tax payment deadline is typically November 1st. For the 2026 tax year, payments are due November 1, 2025. Specific due dates may vary by taxing authority.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Fayette County offers Homestead and Farmstead tax credits that require application. Contact the Assessment Office at 724-430-1350. Applications must be filed separately and are not automatically granted.

Q: How does the Homestead tax credit work? A: The Homestead credit limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing market value. It requires filing an application with the County Assessment Office and must be renewed periodically. This is a tax credit, not an exemption.

Q: When does Fayette County reassess properties? A: Assessment schedules vary. Contact the Fayette County Assessment Office at 724-430-1350 for current reassessment timelines and appeal procedures if you disagree with your assessment.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payment penalties vary by taxing authority. Contact your specific tax collectors for penalty rates and payment options to avoid additional fees.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online in Fayette County? A: Online payment availability varies by taxing authority. Check with your county, school district, and municipal tax collectors for their specific online payment options and accepted methods.

Q: Why do I receive multiple property tax bills? A: Fayette County properties may be taxed by multiple entities (county, school district, municipality, special districts). Each may send separate bills with different due dates and payment locations.

Q: What is the Clean & Green program deadline? A: Applications for Clean & Green assessment must be filed by June 1st each year for the following year's assessment. Call the Assessment Office at 724-430-1350 for more information about this agricultural/forestland program.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
State
2025-26 Real Estate Tax Ratespa.gov
02
draftnorthfayettepa.gov
03
Millage Rates/Common Level Ratios - Fayette Propertyproperty.co.fayette.pa.us
04
Tax Doc
Tax Relief for Farmers - "Clean and Green" - Fayette Propertyproperty.co.fayette.pa.us
05
Clean & Green - Act 319 - Fayette Propertyproperty.co.fayette.pa.us
06
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Return of More Than ...patreasury.gov
07
HOMESTEAD & FARMSTEAD EXCLUSION APPLICATIONproperty.co.fayette.pa.us
08
Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion (Act 50)alleghenycounty.us
09
Tax Doc
Pennsylvania's Current Real Property Tax Collection Systempalbfc.gov
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Programpa.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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