Lancaster County is preparing for the 2027 property reassessment and encourages property owners within the County to do the same. Counties are required by law to conduct periodic reassessments of all properties. The County of Lancaster previously completed reassessments in 2017.

Property owners can begin checking their property record through the Property Assessment Website to ensure that all data on file is correct. Property owners who find inaccurate or missing information may complete a Property Correction Form or may contact the Property Assessment Office by emailing paquestions@lancastercountypa.gov .

A reassessment is the process used to determine accurate and fair property values within the County. The process of the assessment will begin in 2025 for the 2027 Reassessment. In 2025 and 2026, an assessor from the Lancaster County Property Assessment Office may visit your property for an outside-only inspection, including taking photos from the exterior of the property. Assessment staff will have county identification, and their vehicles clearly marked designating them to be from the Property Assessment Office. 

The purpose of a reassessment is to ensure the fairness of taxes relative to property values, not to increase taxes. Reassessment does not generate additional revenue for the County or other real estate taxing bodies. Even though a property’s assessment may increase, taxing bodies must adjust their current tax rate to remain revenue neutral, before making any other adjustments. The property assessment office is ready to assist residents with preparation for the 2027 reassessment.

For more information visit https://www.lancastercountypa.gov/154/Property-Assessment.
https://www.lancastercountypa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2220

County Real Estate Tax - The Lancaster County Treasurer handles the county real estate tax. Bills are normally mailed by April 1 of each year. The Lancaster County Treasurer can be reached at (717) 299-8222, 150 North Queen Street, PO Box 1447, Lancaster PA 17605. The current county millage rate is 2.911 mills.

Municipal Real Estate Tax - West Donegal Township collects municipal real estate taxes from all properties within the township. The Lancaster County Treasurer mails and collects the township's real estate tax bills. Bills are normally mailed by April 1 of each year. The Lancaster County Treasurer can be reached at (717) 299-8222, 150 North Queen Street, PO Box 1447, Lancaster PA 17605. The current municipal millage rate is 1.8 mills.

School District Real Estate Tax - West Donegal Township is a part of the Elizabethtown Area School District. The school district collects real estate taxes on all properties within the township. As the school district operates on a July-June fiscal year, real estate tax bills are normally mailed in July of each year. The school district can be reached at (717) 367-1521, 600 East High Street, Elizabethtown PA 17022. The current school district millage rate is 18.0669 mills.

Earned Income Tax - All employers who operate within West Donegal Township are required to withhold Earned Income Taxes from every employee. The persons subject to Tax and applicable Tax rates are as set forth in the applicable Enactment. Persons subject to Tax as set forth in the Enactment might include: (1) as to the Resident Tax, individuals who are Residents of a Pennsylvania municipality or school district; and (2), as to the Nonresident Tax, individuals who are not Residents of a Pennsylvania municipality with respect to any Occupation engaged in  within the boundaries of the Pennsylvania municipality. The Nonresident Tax applies to all earned income or net profits derived by an individual who is not a  Resident from any work, business, profession, or activity of any kind engaged in within the boundaries of the municipality. Employers are required to submit the tax quarterly to the Lancaster Tax Collection Bureau. Click here for more information on the Earned Income Tax.

Local Service Tax - All employers who operate within West Donegal Township are required to withhold $52.00 per year from every employee. An individual is subject to the Tax if the individual engages in an Occupation within the boundaries of a Taxing Authority. The Tax is triggered by where the individual works, not where the individual lives, and not where the Employer headquarters is located or where payroll checks are prepared or initiated. The Tax applies to individuals who are residents of the Taxing Authority, and also to individuals who are not residents of the Taxing Authority. The Tax applies unless exemption is established based on low income or otherwise in accordance with the Regulations. Employers are required to submit the tax quarterly to the Lancaster Tax Collection Bureau. Click here for more information on the Local Service Tax.

Employers and residents can find their withholding rates by accessing the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Municipal Statistics web site by entering the work and home address of the employee.