Westmoreland extends county property tax deadlines

Westmoreland County taxpayers will have four additional months to pay county property taxes at a discounted rate.

Commissioners said Tuesday they will vote later this week to extend the discount period for property tax payments until the end of August. The discount period was slated to expire April 30. Taxpayers will have until the end of 2020 to pay property taxes without a penalty.

“We will still get the tax dollars, but just a little bit later,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

Commissioners said the delay will enable residents, many of whom are dealing with financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic, to have additional time to make the payments. Legislation approved last week by state lawmakers and signed by the governor allowed local leaders to extend the tax deadlines.

County officials expect to receive about $80 million in property tax revenue this year. About 39%, or more than $31 million, already has been paid this year.

Deputy Controller Rege Garris said most of the county’s anticipated property tax revenue is paid annually during the two-month discount period. In 2019, the county received more than $52 million of the $77 million it ultimately garnered from property taxes in March and April.

Property taxes this year are expected to account for less than a quarter of the revenue needed to pay for the county’s $341 million budget.

“We understand the majority of our constituents are facing a hard time. Of course, the county is financially facing a hard time as well with covid-19 expenses. As commissioners, our hope is that Westmoreland can count on the state and federal government for reimbursement for those expenses,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

The anticipated deadline delay by the commissioners will not impact school and local taxes. Decisions to extend those deadlines will be made by the local taxing jurisdictions, officials said.

Commissioners said the delay is not expected to cause a cash flow problem for the county, which still has about $8 million available from a tax anticipation loan secured earlier this year.

“We have received emails and calls from a lot of individuals hoping we passed this,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes.