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Tax Extension or Deferral Program

In accordance with § 504 of the Real Estate Tax Sale Law, (72 P.S. § 5860.504), the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 16-0255, authorizing the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau to extend or defer the payment of real estate tax claims related to residential real estate which is owned and occupied solely by a person sixty-five (65) years of age or older or is owned and occupied jointly by persons all of whom are sixty-five (65) years of age or older and whose household income is equal to or less than the maximum household income necessary to qualify for a property tax or rent rebate under the Senior Citizens Rebate and Assistance Act.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PROGRAM

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The Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau may upon the recommendation of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging and NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania grant an extension or deferral of the time for payment of real estate tax claims. In order to be eligible for the program applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

  1.      All owners and occupants of the property must be at least sixty-five (65) years of age;

  2.      The property must be residential and owner-occupied;

  3.      The property must be adequately insured if seeking deferral; and

  4.      The owner(s)’ household income must not exceed the maximum qualifying household income under the Senior Citizens Rebate Assistance Act, which is currently $35,000.00.

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Applicants who meet the above criteria may obtain an application form from the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau or can be found in a link below. A fully executed application should be submitted to the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging located at 123 Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau 123 Wyoming Ave., Suite 267 Scranton, PA 18503 Ph: (570) 963-6734 Fax: (570) 496-1733 Website: www.lackawannacounty.org 2 (Rev. 09-11-19) Wyoming Avenue, Floor 4, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503 along with the following documentation:

  1. A copy of the deed for the property;

  2. A copy of the property owner(s)’ most current tax return, social security benefits verification letter, pension income statement and/or other proof of income;

  3. A copy of any non-owner occupant(s)’ most current tax return, social security benefit verification letter, pension income statement and/or other proof of income;

  4. A signed copy of the elderly extension or deferral program terms and conditions;

  5. A copy of the property owner(s)’ last will and testament, if any;

  6. A copy of the property owner(s)’ power of attorney, if any;

  7. Copies of current photo identification, e.g., driver’s license, state identification card, Real ID, passport, etc., for everyone who resides at the property; and

  8. A certificate of homeowners’ insurance or a current homeowners’ insurance declaration page (required if applicant is interested in a recommendation for deferment);

 

If the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging determines that the application is fully complete and that the age and financial hardship requirements of the program have been met, the application will be forwarded by the Area Agency on Aging to NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania

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