On Thursday, July 23, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law Act 75 of 2020 (introduced as S.B. 1125) that allows school districts the option to extend their real estate tax discount periods and their base periods, as well as remove penalties for payments through June 30, 2021 (i.e., one school year).  Act 75 plugs a gap created by Act 15 of 2020, which permitted cities, counties and local municipalities to extend real estate tax deadlines but did NOT give school districts this same option. The full text of the new law is available here.  Below are highlights:     

• School Districts may extend the time in which taxpayers can qualify for a discount or waiver when failing to pay real estate taxes on time. (Sec. 2).
• School district boards that desire to extend real estate discount and base deadlines, and offer penalty waivers must adopt a resolution that must pass by a majority vote of the Board. (Sec. 2).  
• Districts must immediately deliver a copy of its tax resolution to the local tax collector, if passed. (Sec. 2). 
• Act 75 takes effect immediately. (Sec. 3).