Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau – Harrisburg, PA

Delinquent Tax Collection and Enforcement

The Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau, located on the first floor of the County Administration Building, is responsible for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes. When property taxes remain unpaid to the county, municipal, or school district authorities for a certain period, the claim is turned over to this bureau for collection. The office operates under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law, providing a centralized mechanism to recover outstanding public funds. Property owners with delinquent taxes are urged to contact the bureau immediately to resolve their debts and avoid potential legal action.

Tax Sales and Property Auctions

If delinquent taxes remain unpaid, the Tax Claim Bureau is authorized to sell the property to recover the monies owed. This process involves several stages, including the Upset Sale, Judicial Sale, and Repository Sale. These public auctions are held periodically, and lists of properties are published in advance. Potential bidders must register with the bureau and adhere to strict bidding protocols. Important: The bureau does not provide legal advice regarding the purchase of tax sale properties, and buyers are responsible for conducting their own title searches.

Payment Policies

The Tax Claim Bureau has strict policies regarding payment methods to ensure funds are secured. Personal and business checks are strictly prohibited. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, certified checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders. For added convenience, payments can be made online or over the phone using major credit cards, though these transactions incur a processing fee (typically 2.55% for credit cards). Taxpayers should have their property ID number available when making inquiries or payments. The office is open to the public during standard county business hours, with payments typically accepted until 4:00 PM.

• Delinquent Collection: Recovering unpaid property taxes for all taxing districts in the county.
• Upset Sales: Initial public auction of properties with delinquent taxes.
• Judicial Sales: Secondary auctions where properties may be sold free of mortgages and liens.
• Repository List: Ongoing sale of properties not sold at previous auctions.