Based on recently passed tax legislation, the Mt. Lebanon Tax Collector has received inquiries from residents regarding their ability to prepay their 2018 property taxes prior to the end of 2017. While the Municipality and the Tax Collector understand resident’s desire to prepay their taxes, current statute prohibits the collection of these taxes before they have been duly assessed. Taxes cannot be "duly" assessed because we will not receive the certified county assessment docket until late January or early February of 2018. Therefore, the prepayment of 2018 property taxes in 2017 is unfortunately not something that can be legally accommodated. The Municipality’s Solicitor has reviewed this matter and concurs with this position.
http://mtlebanon.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=822
The PG reports: Allegheny County is accepting prepaid taxes and has for years as a courtesy to its residents. County taxes are due tomorrow. Postmarks do not apply in this case. They must be in the County tax office no later than tomorrow.
The PG reports: Allegheny County is accepting prepaid taxes and has for years as a courtesy to its residents. County taxes are due tomorrow. Postmarks do not apply in this case. They must be in the County tax office no later than tomorrow.
18 comments:
I LOVE that animal. How cute. Merry Christmas, Elaine. That's weird about the local taxes. An accountant from USC was telling a friend of mine to pay those taxes before the end of the year. Oh, well. This is us. This is Mt. Lebanon.
Thanks, 10:09 AM. And same to you!
One of the perks that goes with living "in the ghetto" or "the outskirts of Mt. Lebanon" is that I don't care about prepaying my 2018 taxes.
Elaine
Yes, I know that the County is accepting prepaid taxes for the snowbirds and for anyone else who wants to prepay, but Mt. Lebanon is being VERY difficult.
Joe Senko, Mt. Lebanon's treasurer, said that six people came to see him this morning and has also received multiple emails on this subject, but they are taking the stand that neither municipal or school district taxes for 2018 will be accepted. Who turns down money? Because of their stubbornness, this could cost Mt. Lebanon taxpayers a lot of money.
I'm not sure which is which, but Peters and Upper St. Clair are not in agreement. One IS accepting 2018 taxes, while the other one is NOT. Mt. Lebanon Tax Office has chosen not to accept either.
Where are all the Mt. Lebanon lawyers when you need them?
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2017/12/22/How-to-pay-those-2018-real-estate-taxes-early-Allegheny-County-standard-deduction-itemize/stories/201712220119?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=most-emailed-business&utm_campaign=Headlines-Newsletter
Elaine
Andrew McCreary told a Mt. Lebanon resident that he was berating McCreary! The same resident was told by a woman on the phone at the tax office that they were not accepting any prepayments. When he asked why not, the woman said, "Where would we put it?" The resident said, "IN THE BANK."
We are part of Allegheny County. Allegheny County has been doing this for years as a courtesy to its residents. The same rules apply in both Allegheny County and Mt. Lebanon. What is the penalty to accepting money early? NOTHING.
Elaine
The City of Pittsburgh IS accepting early payments.
Mount Lebanon could accept tax payments but the elected Treasurer of Mount Lebanon said NO. Remember this if he runs for re-election in two years. This was a bad decision by the Treasurer and the Solicitor. Unfortunately the Commission said nothing about this and did not not vote to accept early payment of taxes.Thus, you cannot elect to write-off your 2018 taxes on your 2017 tax return because of this decision.I think the tax collector should resign.
Not a tax attorney, but the IRS issued guidance today that addreses this issue. Taxes for 2018 that are not yet assessed but are prepaid in 2017 cannot be deducted in 2017. Lebo and Allegheny County taxes for 2018 will not be billed until next year - appears problematic to attempt to prepay an estimated tax this year and then deduct it on your taxes for 2017. Link to IRS Guidance follows: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-advisory-prepaid-real-property-taxes-may-be-deductible-in-2017-if-assessed-and-paid-in-2017
Interesting, 8:27 PM. Look what the Trib reported this evening: Pittsburgh area homeowners rushing to prepay 2018 property tax bills
Elaine
https://www.npr.org/2017/12/26/573628779/why-homeowners-are-scrambling-to-prepay-their-2018-property-taxes
6:37 Blame the President; not the local treasurer or the tax collector; I think the President should resign.
11:15 PM, Mt. Lebanon is a Home Rule Municipality, meaning that the treasurer or commission makes the decision.
Elaine
Not sure why your readers are anxious to prepay for toxic turf, deer murder, Outreach subsidies, trophy case maintenance, nepotistic salaries, MtL magazine, or any of the other outrage du jour.
The taxpayers should resign, amirite?
@Elaine's 7:09 reader - you need an accountant ! You're not bright enough to figure it out yourself.
You forgot about funding a capital campaign that hasn't raised one cent, 7:09 AM.
9:10 AM, I am sure that 7:09 AM knows that.
Elaine
Don't forget the planned new $1.7 million dollar gun range. Absolutely unbelievable. Shameless.
Is the treasurer's term only two years? He was just reelected last month.
Are school or district taxes going up in 2017? If so, by how much?
Thanks and happy new year to all-
Mary E
Happy New Year, Mary E!
Mary, it is too early to know about school taxes. The school board won't approve the new budget until May. Next month, Jan submits the fake budget (if she is still here) and then the school board usually goes into their poor mouthing routine, at least that is how the old board majority operated. As Al Frioni indicated, PSERS is killing us. Thanks to our previous board's generosity, Timmy gets a SIX PERCENT increase in 2018 for doing a SATISFACTORY job. That is part of the problem.
Elaine
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