HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania homeowners should receive an average $200 in slots-funded property tax relief this year, according to estimates released by state Budget Secretary Charles Zogby.
Zogby certified that $776 million in slots revenue will be available in the state Property Tax Relief Fund for distribution. Under state law, the budget secretary certifies the amount of revenue in the fund each April 15.
Last year, some 2.6 million homeowners were approved for property tax cuts averaging in the $200 range.
However, the actual amount of property tax relief will vary by school district. The state Education Department will notify each school district of the specific level early next month.
The annual tax relief is based on a share of slots revenue generated by casinos.
The relief involves a cut in school taxes only and is not a rebate. It will show up as an amount subtracted from the tax bills that school districts mail out in early summer.
Homeowners receive the tax cut for a primary residence only if they are registered with the state's homestead exclusion program through their county tax assessment office. The application period for this year ended March 1.
rswift@timesshamrock.com