I am writing to seek your support as a cosponsor for important legislation aimed at providing relief to Pennsylvania taxpayers who have lost a spouse. This bill will amend the Local Tax Collection Law of May 25, 1945 (P.L. 1050, No. 394), to allow taxpayers to remove the name of a deceased spouse from real estate tax bills.

Specifically, the bill adds a new section to the law, which will allow a taxpayer to submit a written request along with a death certificate to both the tax collector and the county assessment office to remove the name of a deceased spouse from a real estate tax bill.

It is important to note that this bill does not change the deed of the property; it simply updates the tax records to reflect the name of the surviving spouse for tax purposes. This ensures that only the surviving individual is held accountable for property taxes moving forward, while the deed remains unchanged.

This legislative change is not only a matter of fairness but will also reduce administrative burdens for both the taxpayer and local governments. By enabling the quick removal of a deceased spouse’s name from the tax records, we streamline the process for widowed individuals during an already difficult time.

I urge you to join me in supporting this important bill and helping families who are navigating the difficult loss of a loved one.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your co-sponsorship.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0419: P.L.1050, No.394