Philadelphia PA Property Tax Records: Search OPA Values, Tax Bills, Deeds, Appeals & Liens
Philadelphia property tax records are handled through several official city systems. Use the Office of Property Assessment for assessed value, property characteristics, sales history and OPA account details; use the Philadelphia Tax Center for Real Estate Tax balances and payments; use Philadox or the Department of Records Reading Room for deeds and recorded documents; and use the Board of Revision of Taxes when the assessment itself needs a formal appeal.
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Fastest Way to Search Philadelphia PA Property Tax Records
Which Philadelphia Property Record Do You Actually Need?
Use this table before searching. It prevents wrong-office clicks and helps you avoid paying for records you can locate through official city tools.
| Your Question | Correct Philadelphia Tool | Search With | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the assessed value? | Office of Property Assessment / Property Search | Address, city block, or OPA/BRT account number | Assessed value, building description, square footage, sales history and property facts. |
| How much property tax is owed? | Philadelphia Tax Center / Real Property Tax | Address or 9-digit OPA property number | Balance chart, amount owed, payment options, payment voucher and assistance links. |
| Can I find the deed? | Philadox / Department of Records | Address, names, document type, recording date, document number | Deeds and other recorded property records, 1974-present online through Philadox. |
| Can I appeal the assessment? | OPA First Level Review and BRT formal appeal | Notice of valuation, OPA number, evidence of value | Informal OPA review and/or formal BRT appeal process. |
| Is the account delinquent? | Philadelphia Tax Center / Department of Revenue | Address, OPA number, tax account details | Past-due balance, payment agreement options and collection risk context. |
| Can online tax records prove clean title? | Department of Records + title professional | Full deed chain, releases, liens, mortgages, court records | Research evidence; legal title decisions require professional review. |
How to Search OPA Property Records in Philadelphia
Use OPA property information when you need the official assessed value, property characteristics, sales history, OPA/BRT account number or details used to calculate Real Estate Tax.
Address
Best for homeowners, buyers, tenants and neighbors who do not know the OPA number.
City block
Useful for rowhouse blocks, redevelopment research and nearby-property comparison.
OPA/BRT account
Best when you already have the 9-digit property number from a bill or notice.
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Open the official City property searchUse this before paying a third-party property lookup site.
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Step 1: Open the official property search. Step 2: search by address, city block, or OPA/BRT account number. Step 3: open the matching property. Step 4: save the OPA number, value, sales history and property description. Start here: Philadelphia Property Search.
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Verify the property before using the valueMany Philadelphia addresses share similar street names and unit patterns.
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Match the street number, street name, unit, OPA number, owner/mailing details where shown, property type, building description and sales history. Do not use a tax balance until you confirm the correct OPA account.
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Use OPA for assessment questionsOPA determines the value used to calculate Real Estate Tax.
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The Office of Property Assessment determines what every piece of real property in Philadelphia is worth. For OPA help, call (215) 686-4334 or use the online contact form. OPA address: 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 W., Philadelphia, PA 19106.
How to Look Up Philadelphia Property Tax Balance and Pay Real Estate Tax
Use the Philadelphia Tax Center when you need current balance, payment voucher, amount owed, payment agreement options or Real Estate Tax payment status.
March 31
Philadelphia Real Estate Tax is due by March 31 of each tax year.
eCheck
The City says eCheck payment with checking or savings remains free.
Convenience fee
Credit and debit card payments include processor fees; verify the current fee before paying.
1.5% monthly
Additions begin April 1 and increase by 1.5% each month until January 1 of the following year.
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Search by address or 9-digit OPA numberOPA number is the cleanest tax-balance key.
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To find and pay property taxes, the City says to enter the address or 9-digit OPA property number, review the tax balance chart, then choose payment options, payment agreements, or print a payment voucher. Start here: Look up your Philadelphia property tax balance.
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Use the Tax Center property panelYou can search without starting from a random invoice link.
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Open the Philadelphia Tax Center, select “Search for a property” in the Property panel, and follow the prompts. Official payment portal: Philadelphia Tax Center.
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Compare payment method and timingPayment method can affect cost and processing.
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eCheck is generally the lowest-cost online route because the City says it is free. Credit and debit cards have convenience fees. Save confirmation number, date, payment method and account number after payment.
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Contact Revenue if balance or posting looks wrongUse exact OPA account details.
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Department of Revenue tax phone: (215) 686-6600. Real Estate Tax information phone: (215) 686-6442. Main service and payment center: Municipal Services Building, Concourse Level, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102.
How to Search Philadelphia Deeds and Other Recorded Property Documents
Use the Department of Records when you need a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, lien, assignment or other recorded real estate document. Tax records alone do not prove clean title.
Philadox
Philadox searches deeds and other property records from 1974 to the present.
$15 to $750
Philadox subscription fees range from one day at $15 to one year at $750.
Pre-1974
For older records, use in-person records help or the historical land and vital records route.
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Start with OPA and tax cluesA deed search works better with names and dates.
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Copy property address, OPA number, sales history, buyer/seller names, recording date clues, mortgage/lender names and transfer date before opening Philadox.
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Use Philadox for 1974-present property recordsSearch deed and mortgage records online.
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Philadox lets users search deeds and other property records from 1974 to present, view document information and watermarked copies, and print documents/indexed information with a paid subscription. Start at the official service page: Get a copy of a deed or other recorded document.
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Use the Reading Room for in-person helpBest for direct support and older/harder searches.
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Visit or mail requests to Department of Records, City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Hours for deed-copy requests are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a note with the property address for mailed requests.
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Do not stop at one mortgage or lienSearch forward for releases and satisfactions.
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After finding a mortgage, lien, judgment, assignment or recorded notice, search later records for satisfaction, release, termination, reconveyance or court action before assuming the record is still active.
How to Challenge a Philadelphia Property Assessment
If the tax bill is high because the assessed value is wrong, paying the bill is not the same as appealing the value. OPA and BRT are different parts of the process.
| Action | Who Handles It | Key Deadline / Rule | Use When |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Level Review | OPA | Use the FLR form tied to the Notice of Proposed Valuation when available. | You want informal OPA review of property data or value. |
| Formal market value appeal | Board of Revision of Taxes | Due by the first Monday in October of the year before the tax year appealed. | You want a formal appeal of market value, uniformity or substantial property-characteristic error. |
| 2027 market value appeal | BRT | City lists October 5, 2026 as the deadline for 2027 market value appeal. | You are appealing the 2027 value notice. |
| Interest/penalty/bill dispute | Tax Review Board / Revenue process | Separate from BRT market-value appeals. | Problem is a bill, charge, penalty or other tax assessment rather than the property market value. |
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Collect evidence before filingAppeals are not based on “tax feels high” alone.
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Gather recent sales, appraisal, photos, property-condition evidence, incorrect square footage/building data, comparable assessments, income/expense forms for commercial or multifamily property, and the OPA notice.
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File the correct appeal routeFLR does not replace formal BRT deadline.
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Requesting First Level Review does not prevent a formal BRT appeal, but you must meet each deadline. Formal appeal page: Appeal a property assessment. BRT details: BRT property assessment appeals.
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Contact BRT for formal appeal filingUse the official office, not the tax-payment center.
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BRT address: 601 Walnut St., Suite 325 East, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Phone: (215) 686-4343. Email: appealinquiry@phila.gov. Public office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
Philadelphia Property Tax Relief Programs to Check Before Paying
The City offers several programs that can reduce, freeze, defer or spread out Real Estate Tax for eligible homeowners. Some can be started through the Philadelphia Tax Center property search flow.
| Program | What It Does | Best First Action |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Exemption | Reduces taxable value for owner-occupied homes; current City guidance says many homeowners can save up to $1,399. | Search your property in the Tax Center and apply, or use the official Homestead page. |
| LOOP | Helps longtime owner-occupants facing substantial assessment increases by limiting future tax increases. | Apply through the Tax Center property search / combined application flow. |
| Senior Real Estate Tax Freeze | Freezes Real Estate Tax bills for qualifying senior homeowners who meet income rules. | Apply online or call the relief hotline for eligibility. |
| Low-Income Real Estate Tax Freeze | Freezes Real Estate Tax bills for qualifying low-income homeowners with no age requirement. | Apply by the program deadline; tax year 2026 deadline is September 30, 2026. |
| Installment Plan | Lets qualified homeowners pay current-year property taxes in monthly installments. | Apply by March 31 for the tax year when available. |
| OOPA | Owner-Occupied Payment Agreement for past-due Real Estate Taxes. | Use Tax Center assistance options or call Revenue for help with past-due taxes. |
What Happens If Philadelphia Real Estate Tax Is Not Paid?
A past-due Philadelphia property tax account can become a bigger title, lien and sale problem if ignored. Always check the official balance before buying, refinancing or resolving an inherited property.
| Issue | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Past due after March 31 | Monthly additions begin April 1 at 1.5% per month. | Pay, request a voucher, or apply for an eligible payment agreement/relief program. |
| Delinquent by following January 1 | The City says accounts can become delinquent if not paid by January 1 of the following year. | Verify balance in Tax Center and contact Revenue before fees grow. |
| City lien risk | The City can put a lien on the property and add legal fees. | Check Department of Records and tax balance before purchase or refinance. |
| Sheriff sale or tax sale risk | The City can pursue tax sale proceedings to recover unpaid taxes. | Use official foreclosure/sheriff sale resources and get legal help quickly. |
| Collection agency contact | The City authorizes agencies/co-counsel to collect outstanding debts. | Verify the collector through official City collection-agency information before paying. |
Philadelphia Property Tax Records Offices and Maps
Office of Property Assessment
Address: 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 W., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 686-4334
Use for: assessed value, OPA property data, property characteristics, First Level Review and property inquiry help.
Department of Revenue
Address: Municipal Services Building, Concourse Level, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 686-6600 for taxes; (215) 686-6442 for Real Estate Tax information
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; phones open until 5:30 PM.
Department of Records
Main address: City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Deed copy / Reading Room: City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 686-2262
Use for: deeds, mortgages and recorded property documents.
Board of Revision of Taxes
Address: 601 Walnut St., Suite 325 East, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Email: appealinquiry@phila.gov
Phone: (215) 686-4343
Use for: formal property assessment appeals.
If Your Philadelphia Property Tax Records Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No tax balance found | Wrong address format, unit issue, or wrong OPA number. | Search OPA property search first, copy the 9-digit OPA number, then use the Tax Center property panel. |
| Assessed value looks wrong | Property characteristics, square footage, condition or comparable values may be incorrect. | Collect evidence and use OPA First Level Review or BRT formal appeal before the deadline. |
| Deed not visible online | Record may predate 1974 or require Reading Room/historical records search. | Use City Hall Room 154, mail a request, or use historical land records route. |
| Tax bill not received | Mailing issue, recent sale, escrow mistake or outdated owner/mailing details. | Search the Tax Center before March 31; not receiving a bill does not stop charges from accruing. |
| Mortgage company should have paid | Escrow delay, wrong OPA account or lender processing issue. | Compare Tax Center posting with escrow statement and lender confirmation. |
| Past-due balance keeps growing | Monthly additions, collection fees or lien/legal costs. | Contact Revenue, request payoff, and review payment agreement or homeowner assistance options. |
| Need title proof | OPA/tax pages do not prove clean title. | Search Department of Records documents and use a title company or attorney for legal ownership decisions. |
Philadelphia PA Property Tax Records FAQs
QHow do I look up Philadelphia property tax records?▾
Use the Philadelphia Tax Center property panel or the City’s “Look up your property tax balance” service. Search by address or 9-digit OPA property number, then review the balance chart, payment options and voucher choices.
QWhere do I find Philadelphia assessed value and property details?▾
Use property.phila.gov. The City property search can show assessed value, building description, square footage, sales history and property information using address, city block or OPA/BRT account number.
QWhen are Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes due?▾
Philadelphia Real Estate Tax is due March 31 each year. If the tax is not paid on time, additions begin April 1 and accrue at 1.5% per month until January 1 of the following year.
QWhat is the Philadelphia Real Estate Tax rate?▾
The City lists the Real Estate Tax rate as 1.3998% of assessed value, made up of the City rate and the School District rate. Always verify the current tax-year rate on the official City Real Estate Tax page before calculating a bill.
QWhere can I get a Philadelphia deed copy?▾
Use Philadox for deeds and other property records from 1974 to the present, or visit/mail the Department of Records Reading Room at City Hall, Room 154, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107.
QHow much does Philadox cost?▾
Philadelphia lists Philadox subscription fees as $15 for one day, $60 for one week, $125 for one month and $750 for one year. Verify current fees before subscribing.
QHow do I appeal a Philadelphia property assessment?▾
You can use OPA First Level Review when available and/or file a formal appeal with the Board of Revision of Taxes. Formal BRT appeals are due by the first Monday in October of the year before the tax year being appealed.
QWhat Philadelphia tax relief programs should homeowners check?▾
Check the Homestead Exemption, LOOP, Senior Real Estate Tax Freeze, Low-Income Real Estate Tax Freeze, Installment Plan, Real Estate Tax Deferral and OOPA if you are owner-occupied and need help lowering or managing the bill.
QCan Philadelphia tax records prove legal ownership?▾
No. Tax records are useful for bills and balances, but legal ownership should be verified through Department of Records documents, deed chain, releases, liens and professional title review.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Philadelphia property tax website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify property taxes, assessed values, appeals, deeds, liens, relief programs and payment status directly with official City of Philadelphia sources.