Behind on Property Taxes in Allegheny County? Here’s Exactly What to Do
Falling behind on property taxes in Allegheny County is more common than most homeowners want to admit — and more manageable than most fear. The process of tax collection and potential tax sale has several steps and several points where you can intervene. But it requires understanding the system, knowing who to contact, and acting before the situation escalates.
This guide explains exactly how Allegheny County property tax delinquency works, who Jordan Tax Service is and what they do, what the tax sale process looks like, and when selling your house may be the right way to clear the problem and move on.
How Allegheny County Property Tax Collection Works
Property taxes in Allegheny County flow from three taxing bodies: the county itself, the local municipality (city, borough, or township), and the local school district. Each levies a separate millage against your property’s assessed value. Payments are typically billed and due at the municipal level, with county and school district bills arriving separately.
When you fall behind on Allegheny County real estate taxes, the delinquent amounts are eventually transferred to Jordan Tax Service, which handles delinquent tax collection for Allegheny County and many of its municipalities. Jordan Tax Service is a private company under contract with the county — they pursue collection through notices, payment plans, and ultimately legal proceedings.
Important: Jordan Tax Service is not a scam. If you receive a notice from them about your Allegheny County property taxes, it is a legitimate legal matter requiring a response.
The Timeline: From Delinquency to Tax Sale
Pennsylvania’s Real Estate Tax Sale Law (72 P.S. § 5860.101 et seq.) governs the process. Here’s how it typically unfolds in Allegheny County:
Year 1: Initial Delinquency
You miss your property tax payment(s). The taxing body issues delinquency notices. Interest and penalties begin accruing — Pennsylvania allows up to 10% penalty on delinquent taxes plus interest.
Year 2+: Transfer to Jordan Tax Service
After taxes are delinquent for approximately one year, the balance is transferred to Jordan Tax Service for collection. You’ll receive an official notice from Jordan Tax Service with the total delinquent amount, including penalties and interest. At this point, you can contact Jordan Tax Service to set up a payment plan, which can prevent further escalation.
Before Upset Sale: Upset Tax Sale Notification
If taxes remain unpaid through Jordan Tax Service’s collection process, the property becomes eligible for the Allegheny County Upset Tax Sale (also called the annual tax sale). Before this happens, the tax claim bureau must provide multiple forms of notice including certified mail and newspaper publication. Owners who are paying attention will have multiple opportunities to intervene before a sale occurs.
Upset Tax Sale
At the upset sale, the property is offered for sale to the public. The minimum bid equals all outstanding taxes, interest, penalties, and costs. If a buyer pays the minimum bid, the original owner’s tax debt is cleared — but ownership transfers. However, the original owner retains a right to redeem the property within one year of the upset sale by paying all costs plus 10% interest.
Repository List / Judicial Sale
If the property doesn’t sell at upset sale, it may be placed on the repository list and eventually offered at a judicial sale with a lower minimum bid. At judicial sale, there is no redemption period — the sale is final.
Jordan Tax Service: How to Work With Them
Jordan Tax Service’s Allegheny County office can be reached at their published contact information (verify current contact details at alleghenycounty.us or jordantax.com). When you contact them:
- Have your property address or parcel ID number ready
- Ask for the exact payoff amount including all penalties and interest
- Inquire about installment payment plan options — Jordan Tax does offer plans, and being on a plan can delay or stop tax sale proceedings
- Get any payment plan agreement in writing
- Keep records of all communications and payments
Missing a payment on an installment plan can restart the collection clock, so be realistic about what you can commit to when setting up a plan.
Homestead Exemption and Other Relief Programs
Allegheny County homeowners who occupy their primary residence may qualify for:
Homestead Exclusion: Pennsylvania’s Homestead Exclusion reduces the assessed value used for school district tax calculations on primary residences. In Allegheny County, the school district homestead exclusion amount varies by district. If you haven’t applied for this, you may be paying more school tax than required. Apply through the Allegheny County Assessment office.
Senior Citizen Tax Assistance (Act 77): Pennsylvania offers property tax relief for seniors age 65+ (or widows/widowers 50+) who meet income requirements. Applications go through the county. Approved participants receive a reduction in county property taxes. This won’t erase existing arrears, but it can reduce ongoing obligations going forward.
Disabled Veteran Exemption: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability may be eligible for full county property tax exemption.
When Selling Makes More Sense Than Catching Up
For some Allegheny County homeowners, the math of catching up on taxes plus penalties plus interest doesn’t work. If you’re behind $15,000 in taxes, have deferred maintenance issues, and your mortgage is also behind — the total amount needed to fully stabilize the property may exceed what you can realistically manage.
A cash sale can clear all of this at once:
- Tax liens are paid at closing from sale proceeds
- Mortgage payoff is handled at closing
- You walk away with whatever equity remains (if any) and a clean start
- No ongoing liability for property you’re no longer in a position to maintain
The question to honestly ask: even if I catch up on the taxes, can I realistically maintain current tax payments going forward, plus mortgage, plus insurance, plus maintenance? For many homeowners in this situation, the honest answer is no — and selling sooner rather than later preserves more equity before the situation deteriorates further.
Frequently Asked Questions: Behind on Taxes in Allegheny County
Will a tax lien prevent me from selling my house?
No — a tax lien doesn’t prevent you from selling. The lien must be paid at closing from your sale proceeds. The title company handles this as part of the closing process. As long as sale proceeds exceed the total of all liens (mortgage + tax lien + other liens), you can sell without bringing cash to the table.
Can Jordan Tax Service take my house without going to court?
No. Pennsylvania requires the tax claim bureau to follow a statutory process that includes proper notification, published notice, and a public sale before ownership can transfer. You will receive multiple legal notices before any tax sale. If you respond to those notices and take action (payment plan, payoff, or sale), you can prevent a tax sale from occurring.
I received a Jordan Tax Service notice but I don’t own the property — I inherited it and the estate hasn’t been settled. What do I do?
Property taxes accrue on the property regardless of estate status. Contact a Pennsylvania estate attorney immediately. The estate (not you personally) owes the taxes, but someone needs to take legal responsibility for the estate’s real property. Selling the property as part of the estate administration — once a personal representative has been appointed in Allegheny County Orphans’ Court — can clear the tax debt from estate proceeds.
If you’re behind on Allegheny County property taxes and considering selling, visit our tax situation page or request a no-obligation cash offer from We Buy Property LLC. We work with tax lien situations regularly. 73+ Google Reviews. (412) 424-6412.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Contact Jordan Tax Service directly and consult a Pennsylvania attorney for advice specific to your situation.