Your Taxes

There are three "local" authorities with the power to tax; the municipality, the county, and the school district. Each of these local authorities has the power to levy different types of taxes. A resident of Lower Paxton Township is subject to a "real estate" tax levy by the Township, Dauphin County and the Central Dauphin School District; an "earned income tax" levy by the Township and School District, and a "local services tax" levy by the Township.

Real Estate Taxes

All real property (land and improvements) within Lower Paxton Township, except government and church facilities, is taxed by the Township, County, and School District. Real estate tax levies are in tenths of a cent, a unit in tax parlance referred to as a "mill." Such levies are multiplied by the assessed value of real property, as determined by the County Assessment Office, to compute real estate tax payments. 1 mill = $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value (1 X $1,000 = $1).

Lower Paxton Township property owners are paying total real estate taxes based upon assessments effective January, 2002. The School District levies 17.4639 mills of real estate tax, the County levies 7.226 mills, and the Township levies 2.2315 mills.

Real estate taxes can be levied for specific purposes. The Township’s 2.2315 mills of real estate tax levy is comprised of 1.554 mills for the general fund, 0.6365 mills for fire protection and 0.041 mills for library service. The County’s 7.226 mills of real estate tax levy is comprised of 6.876 mills for the general fund and 0.350 mills for library service.

Real Estate Tax Rate

The Township’s real estate tax rate of 2.2315 mills is one of the lowest of any Central Pennsylvania municipality, and it generates approximately $7.3 million each year.

Earned Income Tax (EIT)

The earned income tax is in the amount of 2% of gross income and is split between the School District (1 1/2%) and Township (1/2%). The Township’s earned income tax levy (EIT) generates approximately $8.5 million per year. Local income tax returns for each calendar year must be filed with the tax collector by April 15th of the next year.

Local Services Tax (LST)

The local services tax levy is $52 per year for each individual who works within Lower Paxton Township. Individuals earning less than $12,000 per year from all sources are exempt from the LST.

Tax Collection

Real estate taxes in Lower Paxton Township are collected by elected Tax Collector, Ann Marie Laban, whose office is located at:
4919-C Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone: 717-652-5555
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Hours subject to change. Please call the office to confirm.
Office closed July 25, 26, 27, 2022 as well as November 21, 22, 23, 2022.

The elected Tax Collector serves a term of four years and is governed by the Second Class Township Code and the Local Tax Collection Law.

Lower Paxton Township’s collector for the earned income tax (EIT) and local services tax (LST) is the Keystone Collections Group. You may reach them by calling 1-866-539-1100.

Tax Calculation

How your taxes are computed - an example:

Suppose you and your spouse live and work in Lower Paxton Township. The two of you have a combined annual income of $100,000 and a house and property assessment of $200,000. The following are the taxes that you will pay to the three governing bodies.

Lower Paxton Township

Central Dauphin School District

Dauphin County