Tax Claim
The Franklin County Tax Claim office is responsible for collecting all delinquent real estate taxes levied in the county, including school and municipal taxes.
Pay Delinquent Taxes Online
Click here to pay your delinquent taxes. You must use a credit card or a debit card with a credit feature. Cards with pin numbers cannot be used. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.
Please note: There is a processing fee of 2.15% or $1.00, whichever is greater. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum service charge fee is $3.99.
Upset Sale
Mobile Home Change of Ownership
All mobile homes are required to have two documents in order to transfer a title:
- A Tax Certification showing that all delinquent taxes have been paid on the mobile home. This certification can be obtained from the Franklin County Tax Claim Bureau. The cost of the permit is $5.00.
- A permit must also be obtained from the Tax Collector. The cost of this permit is $2.00.
Payment Information
Payments are accepted Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Payments must be made by credit card or certified funds; no personal or business checks are accepted. Please note that, effective January 1, 2016, we will no longer accept cash as a form of payment for delinquent taxes.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. There is a 2.15% convenience fee and transaction charge on the total amount of tax paid by card and there must be a $1.00 minimum charge. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum service charge fee is $3.99. A photo ID of payee is required. The name on the card must match the name on the photo ID. Allpaid is the merchant of record for card billing, not Franklin County.
Am I the only one who can pay my delinquent taxes?
No, you may send a representative to pay your taxes.
Can I find the total amount that I owe on delinquent taxes online?
No, you cannot find the total amount you owe online. You must call the Tax Claim Bureau at 717-261-3884 for the correct amount.
Can I mail a personal or business check to pay my taxes?
We do not accept personal or business checks as a form of payment. We do accept a bank check, money order or credit card.
Can I make a payment agreement?
Yes. An initial deposit of 25% is due upfront and an agreement must be signed that the remainder will be paid in four equal payments. If a taxpayer defaults on this agreement, the taxes will remain delinquent until paid in full.
Can I make partial payments on my tax bill?
Yes, you can make a partial payment. However, payment must be made in full before any scheduled Upset sale.
Can I make tax payments online?
Yes. Click here. If you are paying by credit card, a convenience fee of $1.00 or 2.15%, whichever is greater, is charged.
Can I pay my current tax bill at the Tax Claim Bureau?
No, these payments must be paid to the respective tax collector.
Can I pay my delinquent taxes by phone with a credit card?
While we do accept credit cards for payment, we cannot accept a credit card over the phone. If a credit card is used to pay your taxes, a convenience fee of $1.00 or 2.15%, whichever is greater, is charged.
Does the Tax Claim office accept a post mark and credit my payment for the date of the post mark?
No, the Tax Claim Office does not accept a post mark. Payments are applied and effective the date they are received in the office.
Does the total amount I owe on taxes that have been turned over to the Tax Claim Bureau change?
Penalties and interest are added to taxes that have been turned over to Tax Claim. These amounts will change on the first of each month.
How can I keep my property from being listed in the newspaper for sale?
Delinquent taxes must be paid by June 30 at 4:15 p.m. each year to avoid the property from being listed in the newspaper.
How much are my current year taxes?
The Tax Claim Bureau does not maintain a list of current taxes that may be due. You will need to contact your tax collector for this information.
What is a judicial sale?
A judicial sale of a property will occur after the property has been exposed at the upset sale. If the property does not sell at the upset sale, it will then be moved to the judicial sale and will not be subject to any liens. A lien holder must provide his or her interest at or prior to this sale.
What is a repository sale?
Properties unsold at the judicial sale are placed in the repository. Properties in the repository may be sold without notice. Bids must be approved by all taxing districts in which the property is located (county, municipality and school district). A repository list is available here.
What is an upset sale?
During an Upset sale, a property is sold for delinquent real estate taxes, municipal liens and state tax liens. This sale is subject to any and all liens against the property.
When are taxes turned over to the Tax Claim Bureau?
Unpaid taxes are turned over to Tax Claim in January each year for the prior year.
When can I find a list of properties that will be sold at an upset or judicial Sale?
A list of perspective properties will be advertised in the Chambersburg Public Opinion, Waynesboro Record Herald and Franklin County Law Journal. The list will also be updated and maintained daily on Franklin County’s website.
When does a property go to upset sale?
A property will go to upset sale when real estate taxes are two years delinquent. If taxes are delinquent for two years and they are not paid by June 30, the property will be advertised. However, taxes can be paid up until 4:15 p.m. the Friday before the upset sale. The upset sale price will include the two-year delinquent taxes plus any municipal or state tax liens.
When is the next upset sale/judicial sale?
An upset sale is held every year in September and a judicial sale is normally held two-three months after an upset sale.
Where do I mail my payment?
The mailing address is:
Franklin County Tax Claim Bureau
272 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Why were my taxes turned over to the Tax Claim Bureau? My taxes are escrowed with my mortgage.
It is your responsibility to give your tax bills to your mortgage holder. If you have not done that, your taxes may not be paid and then will become delinquent.
Contact Information
Administration Building
272 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: 717-261-3884
Fax: 717-264-5218