CHANGES COMING TO MUNICIPAL TAX COLLECTION IN 2010 (updated 5/13/2010)
Who collects which taxes?
MUNICIPAL TAXES including Real Estate Tax, Earned Income Tax, Local Services Tax, Amusement Tax, and Mechanical Device Tax are collected by Jordan Tax Service.
SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES including Real Estate Tax, Earned Income Tax, and Mechanical Device Tax are collected by Centax.
Why am I receiving Earned Income Tax (EIT) forms from Jordan and Centax? Which one should I pay?
Beginning in 2010, many taxpayers may receive 2 separate forms every three months for the payment of quarterly EIT -- one from Jordan Tax Service and one from Centax. If you pay EIT on a quarterly basis, you need to complete and return both forms.
- The form sent by Jordan Tax Service is to be used for the 2010 municipal portion of the EIT (0.9%).
- The form sent by Centax is to be used for the 2010 school district portion of the EIT (0.5%).
For instance, if you would have a taxable income of $10,000 for the 1st quarter of 2010, you would need to file and pay 0.9%, or $90, using the form sent by Jordan Tax Service for your municipal tax. You would also need to pay 0.5%, or $50, using the form sent by Centax for your school portion.
If your employer does not withhold your local EIT, you are required to pay the tax quarterly on your own using these forms even if you do not receive a form in the mail. If you misplaced or did not receive a quarterly EIT form for the Municipal portion of the tax, you may download the form here or call Jordan Tax Service at (412) 835-7676. If you need the School District form, please call Centax at (412) 831-1728.
Why is this happening?
The Municipality of Bethel Park and the Bethel Park School District are two separate entities who each appoint a Tax Collector. In September 2009, the Municipality of Bethel Park appointed Jordan Tax Service as its Tax Collector for the 2010 tax year. In December 2009, the Bethel Park School District appointed Centax as its Tax Collector for the 2010 tax year. As a result, taxpayers will need to file and pay their 2010 municipal and school taxes separately, unlike in previous years when both taxes could be paid to the same Tax Collector. All payments and forms related to 2010 municipal taxes should be filed with Jordan Tax Service.
How does this affect Real Estate Tax (RET)?
In July 2010, two separate bills will be sent for local real estate tax – one from Jordan Tax Service (for the municipal portion) and one from Centax (for the school portion). This is in addition to the county real estate tax bill that is sent in February by Allegheny County. You should follow the instructions included in each bill to ensure that you are making the proper payment to the proper taxing body.
If you have arranged for your mortgage company to pay your real estate taxes, the mortgage company should receive your 3 separate bills – County, Municipal, and School. As a result, all 3 bills should be paid in a timely fashion to the proper collector. However, the property owner should always verify these payments with the mortgage company to avoid penalties and fees associated with late payments.
Where can I pay?
Payments for municipal taxes can be made using any of the following methods:
* Drive up and drop your payment in the orange deposit box located in the Municipal Building's lower parking lot;
* Via mail to the Jordan Tax Service Bethel Park office, 7100 Baptist Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102;
* In-person at the Jordan Tax Service Bethel Park office indicated above, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (a deposit box is also available at this location 24 hours/day);
* Online at www.jordantax.com.
Payments for school taxes should no longer be placed in the orange deposit box.
| Due Date | Tax | Municipal Taxes To: | School Taxes To: |
August 2, 2010 |
Earned Income – 2nd Quarter 2010 |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
August 31, 2010 |
Real Estate – Payment at Discount |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
November 1, 2010 |
Earned Income – 3rd Quarter 2010 |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
November 1, 2010 |
Real Estate – Payment at Face + 10% penalty |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
January 31, 2011 |
Earned Income – 4th Quarter 2010 |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
April 15, 2011 |
Earned Income – Final 2010 |
Jordan Tax Service |
Centax |
The Finance office is located on the second floor of the Municipal Building.
Office Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
The Department of Finance administers the budgeting, accounting and payroll functions for all Municipal Departments. A Finance Director, Accounting Supervisor, Payroll Clerk and a Secretary, staff the department.
Tax billing is administered for the Municipality by Jordan Tax Service. Taxes billed/collected by Jordan Tax Service for the Municipality include Earned Income Tax, Real Estate Tax, Local Services Tax, and miscellaneous taxes such as Amusement Tax and Mechanical Device tax. Each tax has a different rate, filing requirement and payment due dates. Residents are encouraged to be knowledgeable of all due dates and payment requirements.
Sewer Usage fees are billed and collected by the Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) and are included with the monthly water bills. Payment due dates for the sewer bills will coincide with the due date for the water charges.
In accordance with the Home Rule Charter, the Preliminary Municipal Budget is submitted to Municipal Council by September 1st of each year for the following calendar year. The budget is then reviewed and approved by Council by November 30th. A copy of the Preliminary and Final Municipal Budget are available in the Bethel Park Public Library.
An audit, which is required by state law, is conducted annually and is typically published in April. It is available for public viewing at the Bethel Park Public Library.
