PA · Free guide · Part of the WriteOffOS 50-state library

Veteran Property Tax Exemption — Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Disabled Veterans' Real Estate Tax Exemption is not a discount: qualifying 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans pay no real estate taxes at all on their primary residence — building and land.

Who qualifies

Pennsylvania residents rated by the VA as 100% permanently and totally disabled from service connection — or receiving qualifying special monthly compensation (blindness, loss or loss of use of limbs, paraplegia and similar). Surviving spouses who don't remarry continue to qualify

Benefit

Exemption from payment of all real estate taxes levied on the primary residence — the building and the land it stands on (51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 89). An income test applies: household income must fall below the State Veterans' Commission's annually-set need threshold

How to apply

Apply through the DMVA / State Veterans' Commission process (application plus VA documentation and income information) — your county director of veterans affairs can file it with you

Watch out

The income threshold is set by the Commission and adjusts — confirm the current figure with DMVA before assuming eligibility; the exemption must be re-certified periodically

How it works

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Not yet rated? Start there

Every one of these programs hinges on a VA service-connected rating. If you have not filed a claim, that is the starting point — a free, VA-accredited VSO (DAV, American Legion, VFW) will file it for you at no cost. A higher rating unlocks not just property-tax relief but healthcare, income benefits, and — for business owners — SDVOSB contracting eligibility.

Official sources

Pennsylvania DMVA — Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption (state benefits book): https://pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/aging/documents/resources-for-aging-professionals/policy-and-procedure-manual/chapter-v_care-management/dmva%20state%20benefit%20book%20dec%202025.pdf
51 Pa.C.S. Chapter 89 — Disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption (statute text): https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/51/00.089..HTM
Pennsylvania DMVA — PA VetConnect financial assistance programs: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pennsylvania-veterans/pa-vetconnect/state-veterans-programs/financial-assistance/retx

Free eligibility check for Pennsylvania

County-specific rules, amounts, and deadlines — plus a ready-to-sign filing package if you qualify. 100% free on WriteOffOS.

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