2023 tax bills are on their way

The following press release was issued by City of St. Marys Tax Collector, Bud Bloam.

On March 1, 2023 the Elk County Assessment Office will send out the 2023 City of St. Marys/ Elk County Real Estate tax bills. Also being sent are the Per Capita bills and for residents who have done some kind of home improvement an interim tax bill. Every year many residents have questions about the bills.

The good news: The city and the county did not have a tax increase this year.

To receive a 2% discount taxes must be paid by April 30. The face amount is good until June 30 and then a 10% penalty is added until December 31.

As City Tax Collector I will attempt to explain what the bills are for and where the money goes. Per capita tax:

The face amount of each bill is $10. All citizens over the age of 18 are liable for the tax. Although the bills list an occupation this has no bearing on the amount owed. Everyone pays the same. Many believe that retirees, the unemployed, students, housewives or those of a certain age are exempt. There are no exemptions. In other words, if you breathe the air of Elk County and the City of St. Marys you pay a per capita tax.

The City Tax office is tasked with the collection of approximately 8618 per capita bills. This amounts to about $86,000 with half going to the county and half to the city.

Real Estate Taxes:

If you own vacant property or a home you receive a real estate tax bill. The amount on the bill is split between the city and the county. Currently fifty-five percent of the tax bill goes to the city and the remaining fortyfive percent to the county. ($1,000 tax bill = $550 city and $450 county).

Also listed on the bill is the assessed value of your property at a 50% ratio. This means the number listed is one half of the assessed value. So if you are assessed at $37,650 your real assessed value is $75,300.

The total bill is calculated by multiplying the assessed value on the bill by the total millage rate: 37,650 x 35.686 = 1,343.57

The City of St Marys has about 7,345 taxable parcels for a total face value of $7,954,087.19. Keep in mind that just over half of that is the city portion the rest goes to the county.

There are 248 tax exempt properties in the city the majority of which are community services such as schools, churches, parks and city owned buildings.

Interim Tax Bills:

These bills are also real estate bills. They are sent to homeowners who have built new homes or made improvements to their existing homes. Throughout the year as projects are completed the county assessors will come and assess the improvements made to the home. What your improvement is assessed at determines how much you owe. Naturally a garage is more than a deck and adding a room will cost more than a shed. The bills are prorated over the past 12-month period.

This billing cycle there are 96 interim bills being sent to businesses or homeowners. Interim bills are not paid by escrow companies, so homeowners with an escrow be aware that you are responsible for that bill.

By law all real estate bills not paid by December 31 are sent to Elk County Tax Claim.

By law Per Capita Taxes not paid must be wage attached any time after face period.

If one does not have an employer and refuses to pay their per capita the bill is sent to a collection agency and fees will be added. Be advised that the county has sent a list, going back five years, of unpaid per capita taxes to Statewide Tax Recovery for collection of these taxes.

Not getting a bill does not relieve a taxpayer from payment of any taxes.

The elected Tax Collectors of Elk County work with the County Commissioners, the County Assessment Office, City and Borough officials throughout the year to address any problems that tax payers may have. The elected Tax Collectors of Elk County are ready to assist all taxpayers with any tax problems or questions they may have.