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1. |
When are school real estate tax bills mailed out? |
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2. |
Where should I mail my payment? |
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3. |
Can my tax bill be paid in person? |
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4. |
Is it possible to pay my bill with a credit card? |
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5. |
Is it possible to make installment payments on my tax bill? |
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6. |
What is a homestead exclusion? |
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7. |
Is there property tax relief available in CSD? |
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8. |
When are my school real estate taxes due? |
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9. |
If I do not receive my tax bill, can I still qualify for the discount amount after the deadline? |
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10. |
My taxes are paid by my mortgage company. Will you forward my bill to them? |
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11. |
How can I remove my spouse's name from the bill? |
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12. |
How can I get a receipt for my tax bill? |
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13. |
What is an interim tax bill? |
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14. |
How is the dollar amount of my tax bill calculated? |
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15. |
What is the current mil rate for Colonial School District? |
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16. |
What is the fee for a school tax certification and how do I request one? |
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17. |
Why should people who do not have children in the schools pay school tax? |
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18. |
How can I participate in the State's Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program? |
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19. |
Are there any Colonial School District programs which benefit seniors? |
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20. |
What is the school district code number for filing my Pennsylvania Personal Income tax return? |
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1. When are school real estate tax bills mailed out?
Tax bills are mailed by July 1 of each year. The bill represents taxes due for the fiscal year comprising July 1 to June 30 of the following year. If you do not receive your bill during the first week of July, please contact your tax office. If you receive a bill for a property that has been sold, please return the bill to your tax office with the name of the new owner. |
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2. Where should I mail my payment?
PLYMOUTH AND WHITEMARSH RESIDENTS:
Checks are payable to Colonial School District, and mailed to: Colonial School District, P.O. Box 729, 230 Flourtown Road, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. 19462.
CONSHOHOCKEN BORO RESIDENTS:
Checks are payable to Dominic A. Coccia, Jr., and mailed to: Dominic A. Coccia, Jr., 619 Maple Avenue, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.
Please note that the Colonial School District has no liability for lost or misdirected payments. Payments not postmarked by the due date will become ineligible for discounts. |
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3. Can my tax bill be paid in person?
PLYMOUTH AND WHITEMARSH RESIDENTS:
Yes. Tax bills can be paid at the tax office located on the first floor of the Colonial Elementary School at 230 Flourtown Road. Bring your entire bill if you would like a paid receipt. Tax office hours are Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Beginning the week of August 20 the tax office will remain open until 4:00 pm. on Fridays. The telephone number is 610-834-1670, extension 2116.
CONSHOHOCKEN BORO RESIDENTS:
Yes. Tax bills can be paid at the tax office located at 619 Maple Avenue. Tax office hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The telephone number is 610-825-1617. NO CASH PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Boro residents can also make payments at the Wachovia Bank located at 5th and Fayette Streets. |
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4. Is it possible to pay my bill with a credit card?
No. Colonial School District does not accept credit card payments. |
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5. Is it possible to make installment payments on my tax bill?
Yes. Effective July 1, 2012 there will be an installment option available to all taxpayers. The two remaining installments must be remitted by their respective due dates of September 30 and October 31. The only acceptable installment payments are those that are shown on the coupons. Failure to pay installment #1 by August 15 removes the option of making installment payments for the current tax year. Second and third payments postmarked after the due dates will incur a 10% penalty. Two late payments will disqualify a homeowner from choosing this option the following year. Please note that under this plan you WILL NOT be eligible to receive the 2% discount given to homeowners who pay in full by August 31. |
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6. What is a homestead exclusion?
For a homestead to qualify for an exclusion it must be the primary residence of the owner. An exclusion must be applied for and be approved by the Montgomery County Board of Assessments, who in turn will provide the School District with a list of all qualifying homesteads.
More information on this topic as well as an application to apply for the homestead & farmstead exclusion is available at: http://boa.montcopa.org/ or by contacting the Montgomery County Assessment Office at 610-278-3761. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
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7. Is there property tax relief available in CSD?
Effective July 1, 2008 all homestead/farmstead exclusions which have been approved by the Montgomery County Board of Assessments will be eligible for property tax relief. The homestead/farmstead exclusion for the current 2012-2013 fiscal year is the lesser of the homestead/farmstead assessment or 13,373 of assessment. A 13,373 assessment reduction results in a $255.48 decrease in real estate taxes. |
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8. When are my school taxes due?
Due dates for full amount (pay one amount only):
Discount (-2%) if paid on or before 8/31
Face (Flat) if paid on or before 10/31
Penalty (+10%) if paid on or before 12/31
Installment due dates
1st Installment: on or before 8/15
2nd Installment: on or before 9/30
3rd Installment: on or before 10/31
A U.S. Postal Service postmark will be considered the date paid NO EXCEPTIONS. Placing payment in the mailbox does not mean it will be postmarked that day. |
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9. If I do not receive my tax bill, can I still qualify for the discount amount after the deadline?
No. If a tax bill is returned to us as undeliverable we verify the address and resend the bill. Local tax collection laws do not allow a discount or waiver of any penalties that are due. If you do not receive your bill by the first week in July, please contact your tax office. No exceptions will be allowed for late payments. |
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10. My taxes are paid by my mortgage company. Will you forward my bill to them?
No. All bills are mailed to the property owner of record. It is the property owner's responsibility to forward the bill to their mortgage company immediately upon receipt. |
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11. How can I remove my spouse's name from the bill?
All changes in ownership are processed by the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. Please contact them at 610-278-3289 for information on making any changes. |
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12. How can I get a receipt for my tax bill?
If paying in person, bring the entire bill in at the time of payment. If paying by mail send the entire bill along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a receipted copy will be returned to you. |
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13. What is an interim tax bill?
Certain improvements will increase the assessed value of your home. When an assessment is raised, the Montgomery County Board of Assessments will notify the School District of the amount of the increase and the effective date. This generates an interim tax bill which represents the difference between your former assessment and the new assessment for the remainder of the fiscal year. |
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14. How is the dollar amount of my tax bill calculated?
The Montgomery County Board of Assessments places an assessment value on your property. The school district sets a mil rate (an amount of tax paid on every $1,000 of assessment) according to budget needs. Your tax bill is a calculation of the assessment and the mil rate. |
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15. What is the current mil rate for Colonial School District?
The current mil rate for the 2012-2013 tax year is 19.104. |
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16. What is the fee for a school tax certification and how do I request one?
The fee for a school tax certification is $25. Conveyancers must submit a written request and provide the parcel number and the anticipated date of settlement. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the certification. Requests should be mailed to:
PLYMOUTH AND WHITEMARSH PARCELS:
Checks are payable to Colonial School District, and mailed to: Colonial School District, P.O. Box 729, 230 Flourtown Road, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. 19462.
CONSHOHOCKEN BORO PARCELS:
Checks are payable to Dominic A. Coccia, Jr., and mailed to: Dominic A. Coccia, Jr., 619 Maple Avenue, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428. |
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17. Why should people who do not have children in the schools pay school tax?
School funding is determined by state laws. Current Pennsylvania law mandates that property owners are responsible for a large portion of that funding. This system benefits the entire community through the appreciation of your property value. |
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18. How can I participate in the State's Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program?
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. The program has recently been expanded to give more Pennsylvanians a rebate and increase the amount of the rebates. The income limit has been increased from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners and the maximum rebate increased from $500 to $650. Remember to exclude one-half of your Social Security Income when calculating your eligibility income. The age requirement remains unchanged; claimants or spouses 65 years of age or older; widows or widowers 50 years of age or older; and the permanently disabled 18 years of age or older may qualify for the PTRR program.
Homeowners:
--If your income falls between $0 to $8,000 your rebate will be $650.
--If your income falls between $8,001 to $15,000, your rebate will be $500.
--If your income falls between $15,001 to $18,000, your rebate will be $300.
--If your income falls between $18,001 to $35,000, your rebate will be $250.
Renters:
--If your income falls between $0 to $8,000, your rebate will be $650.
--If your income falls between $8,001 to $15,000, your rebate will be $500.
Additional information on this program is available at www.papropertytaxrelief.com/propertytaxes/site/default.asp.
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19. Are there any Colonial School District programs which benefit seniors?
All senior residents who are age 65+ qualify for a Gold Card. This card provides free admission to CSD concerts, shows and sports events. It also allows seniors to participate in one free adult evening school class each semester. For more information on getting a gold card, please go to the "Community" tab on our Web site and select "Senior Citizen Gold Card." |
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20. What is the school district code number for filing my Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax return?
The Colonial School District code is 46160. |