Taxes and Census
The Tax/Census Office produces and collects tax revenues and census information for the School District. School real estate tax bills are produced and mailed by July 1 of each year. Interim tax bills are issued to those properties with new construction or improvements. Interims are issued by the Lancaster County Assessment Office once an assessed value is assigned to the property. Every year, the School District conducts a census of all residents living within the District. Census forms are mailed in February.
2024-2025 School Tax Information
L-S has partnered with the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau (LCTCB) for the collection of the 2024-2025 school real estate taxes.
The real estate tax bills will be mailed the 1st week of July. If a district property owner does not receive a school real estate tax bill and should have, please contact the LCTCB office after July 15th at 717-569-4521, option #4, or email RETaxInfo@lctcb.org. Failure to receive the notice does not relieve any taxpayer from making payment. Real estate tax bills will be mailed to individual property owners. LCTCB does not forward school property tax bills to mortgage companies or tax escrow agencies.
LCTCB encourages payments to be scheduled electronically through their fee-free ACH website at DIRECTPAY.LCTCB.ORG, using the “Pay Real Estate Bill” option. Payments may also be mailed to LCTCB in the envelope provided or by mail to LCTCB Real Estate Tax Group, PO Box 3900, Lancaster, PA 17604-3900.
You may also pay in person at the LCTCB real estate tax office - 1845 William Penn Way, Lancaster, PA 17601 or at any Fulton Bank branch.
Any questions pertaining to the payment of your 2024-2025 school real estate tax bill should be directed to LCTCB at 717-569-4521, option #4 or email RETaxInfo@lctcb.org.
Any questions pertaining to the assessed value of your property or any changes to the mailing address of your school real estate tax bill should be directed to the Lancaster County Property Assessment Office at 717-299-8381.
Please note that school real estate tax payments continue to not be accepted at the L-S District Office. Payments will no longer be sent to BB&T/Truist lockbox in Baltimore and will not be accepted at the Strasburg and Willow Street BB&T/Truist branches.
Due Dates
Payment Periods for Tax Year 2024-2025
Full Payment
- August 31 - 2% Discount
- September 1 through October 31 - Base
- November 1 through December 31 - Penalty
- January 1, 2025 – Unpaid taxes as of December 31, 2024 will be turned over to the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau at the Base Amount
Installment Plan
- August 31 - 1st Installment
- October 31 - 2nd Installment
- December 31 - 3rd Installment
Census
Census forms are mailed to all District residents every year. This form will be sent to residents of Strasburg Borough, Strasburg Township, West Lampeter Township, and the Lancaster City Annex. If you do not receive a census form by early March, call the District Census Office at (717) 464-3311, extension 1028. Upon receiving the form, please complete it, and return it to the census office in the envelope that is provided.
A second mailing is done for all households who do not respond to our initial mailing. By returning your census form promptly, our task of completing the annual census is done more efficiently and economically. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Questions?
For census questions, contact Alysha Schneider. For tax questions, contact the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau or the District's Business Office.
2024-2025 Tax Millage Rate:
18.4120 (0.0184120)
Local School Tax Code: 36360
Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion
Act 1 of 2006 (formerly Act 72) is the Homeowner Tax Relief Act. Its goal is to reduce school district reliance on the real property tax, to be achieved by putting in place new funding options, including local personal or earned income taxes and funds derived from gaming. The reduction in property taxes is achieved by applying these new funds to the homestead and farmstead exclusions. For more information about the exclusion, visit the Lancaster County website.