SANATOGA PA – Two sets of tax bills for money that primarily supports operations of the Pottsgrove School District have already been delivered to most mailboxes this month (July 2011), courtesy of Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Treasurer and Tax Collector Jennifer Marsteller.

Tax Collector Jennifer Marsteller

Enclosed in the same envelope were the pink-colored 2011-2012 School District Real Estate Tax Bill, and cream-colored School Per Capita Tax Notice. Their official mailing date was July 8.

The real estate tax is paid on $1,000 increments of real property (land and buildings) value. For 2011-2012, the tax amounts to $34.999 for every $1,000, or – as an example – $4,200 for a home within the district assessed at a value of $120,000.

Both the schools and Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township benefit from the tax “per capita,” a Latin phrase that literally means “for each head.” During 2011-2012, the township is authorized to receive $5 per head; the district, $10.

Payment of both notices is due by no later than Nov. 8, but those who pay in full by Sept. 8 receive a 2-percent discount. Those who pay late incur a 10-percent penalty fee.

Because they generally tend to hit property owners’ wallets hard, the state again this year will allow payment of school taxes only in three equal installments; the first is due Aug. 15 … only 21 days away. Discounts are not offered on installment payments, because the total amount due won’t be fully paid until after Sept. 8.

For questions regarding the bills, call Marsteller’s office at 610-326-6960. Her hours are

• by appointment; or
• Mondays from 4-7 p.m. (except on the first Monday of each month, when they are 4-6:30 p.m. to accommodate the township Board of Commissioners’ meeting),
• Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and
• the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to noon between July 1 and Oct 1.
• The office is closed this week (July 25-31), and on legal holidays.