Tax Relief From Pennsylvania Casino Profits

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania -- As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Property taxes for residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania will fall by as much as $407 next year, offset by taxes on
  casino profits that will go to school districts, officials said Monday.

"'They should see that change reflected in the bill, or they won't pay as much (from escrow accounts),' said Leah Harris, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

"The law providing school districts with a means to lower property taxes by using money from slot machine gambling took effect in 2006. Officials estimated gambling would generate $1 billion each year for local property tax relief. The state places a 55 percent tax on casino profits, and from that amount puts 34 percent toward property tax relief.

"Among home and farm owners in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, Mars Area School District will get the least tax relief -- $64 per household, on average -- and Washington the most, $407. All figures are estimates..."