Tax Collection

The principal sources of revenue for the Township are the Real Estate Tax, the Earned Income Tax (wage tax), Local Services Tax (emergency services “$2” tax), the Per Capita Tax (head tax), and the Deed Transfer Tax. Once residency has been established in the Township, the tax collectors listed below should be notified immediately so that your name may be added to the tax accounts.

Real Estate Tax

The Real Estate Tax is assessed to all property owners in the Township and is the second largest revenue producer in the municipality behind Earned Income Tax. It is derived by multiplying the assessed valuation of your property by the Real Estate Tax millage rate established annually by the Township Board of Supervisors as part of West Deer Township’s annual budget.

The assessed valuation is determined by the Board of Property Assessment and Appeals of Allegheny County. Neither the Tax Collector nor the Township has anything to do with the determination of these valuations. Residents can get assessment information on any property in Allegheny County by visiting the County’s Real Estate search website. The County Board can also be reached at 412.350.4600.

Many people do not realize that there are three different real estate taxes: School District, County, and Township. The Township has no control over the County and School District taxes, and vice versa.

The current information for each is as follows:

Taxing Body Millage Rate Portion of Each Tax Dollar
Deer Lakes School District 21.953 mills $0.74
Allegheny County 4.73 mills $0.16
West Deer 2.90 mills $0.10
The following is the actual amount that would be paid for the average property assessed at $119,000:
Deer Lakes School District $ 2,612.41
Allegheny County $ 562.87
West Deer $ 340.10

There is also a Fire Tax – specifically designated for fire protection – added in the Township Real Estate tax bill. The Fire Tax is 0.5 mills.

Tax Collector

The Tax Collector is elected to a four (4) year term and serves both the Township and the Deer Lakes School District. It is the duty of the Tax Collector to issue all real estate tax statements and to collect said taxes. The taxes received are then turned over to the Township and School District, respectively.

The Tax Collector is not responsible for the collection of the Earned Income Tax, Local Services Tax, or the Per Capita Tax. These taxes are collected by Keystone Collections Group. Please see their information below.
Tax bills will be mailed out by mid-March.

Regular Hours:

Office Hours:
March 15 - November 15
Mondays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Winter Hours:

November 30 - March 15
Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dorothy Bonovitz
Tax Collector
P.O. Box 4
Russellton, PA 15076
724.265.4250

dbonovitz@westdeertownship.com
Mrs. Bonovitz’s office is located at the West Deer Township Municipal Building, 109 East Union Road.

Earned Income Tax (EIT), Local Services Tax (LST), and Per Capita Tax

The Earned Income Tax is a levy of 1% on all salaries, wages, commission, bonuses, incentive payments, fees and net profits of businesses, professions, and other activities. The Township and the School District each receive one-half (1/2) percent of this tax. These taxes are paid quarterly to Keystone Collections Group.

The Local Services Tax is most commonly known as the “$2” tax because most employers take $2 from each paycheck. Over the course of the year, this totals $52 per person. This tax is for emergency services, and is also paid to Keystone Collections Group in concert with the EIT.

Every year the Township and the School District together collect a “Per Capita Tax.” Per capita is latin and means “each head,” so every resident 21 years-old and older pays this tax (regardless of employment).

The tax is currently set at $15, with $10 going to Deer Lakes and $5 going to West Deer Township.

NOTICE:  THE TOWNSHIP WILL NOT BE COLLECTING THE $5.00 PER CAPITA TAX BEGINNING IN 2018.  THE DEER LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL STILL BE COLLECTING THE $10.00 PER CAPITA TAX.  RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE A BILL FOR ONLY $10.00 NOT $15.00 AS IN THE PAST.

Keystone Collections Group
546 Wendel Road
Irwin, PA 15642
724-978-0300 or 888.328.0565
www.keystonecollects.com

PSD Code: 710303

Deed Transfer Tax

The Deed Transfer Tax is a tax of one and a half percent (1 ½%) on transactions conveying or transferring land or property in the Township.

Senior Citizen Tax Relief Program

Allegheny County offers a tax relief program for seniors. Information can be received by phoning 412.350.4600.