Hershey Property Tax Rates 2026 | Fast Online Payment Info

Hershey Property Tax rates for 2026 average about 3.13% of assessed value, aligning with the Dauphin County property tax millage published in the county’s January 2026 report. Homeowners can check the Hershey property tax due date 2026 and payment options through the Hershey property tax payment portal, which accepts credit cards, e‑checks, and bank drafts. The Hershey tax assessor contact information – phone (717) 780‑6101, email taxassessment@dauphincounty.gov, and office at 2 South Second Street, Harrisburg – connects you directly to the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment for assessment notices or exemption inquiries. Online Hershey property tax calculator tools let you estimate the Hershey property tax bill breakdown, including school, municipal, and county levies, before you file any payment.

Hershey property tax exemption criteria cover senior citizens, disabled owners, and qualified veterans, while the Hershey property tax appeal guidelines outline the steps to contest an assessment before the August deadline. If you miss the Hershey property tax due date 2026, delinquency penalties accrue daily and may lead to a tax lien on the property record. Mortgage escrow statements often list the Hershey homeowner property tax obligations separately, and the county’s tax collector office hours (Mon‑Fri 9 am‑5 pm) provide in‑person assistance for refunds or credit programs. For commercial owners, Hershey commercial property tax rates follow the same millage but include additional business levies disclosed in the Dauphin County real estate tax overview.

Search Dauphin County Property Tax

Hershey property tax records sit inside the Dauphin County system because Hershey is an unincorporated community in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The county handles every assessment, bill, and appeal for homes and businesses in Hershey. You can look up your bill, your assessed value, your tax history, and any exemptions through the county’s official public search portal.

The live search link for all Dauphin County property tax records is https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. This portal lets residents find parcels by parcel number, owner name, or street address. The portal also shows current bills, prior payments, and the taxing bodies that apply to each property.

Follow these steps to pull up your Hershey property tax record:

1. Open https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com in your browser.
2. Type your parcel number into the parcel field for the fastest match.
3. If you do not know the parcel number, type your last name exactly as it appears on your tax bill.
4. You can also type your house number and street name without street type or direction.
5. Press the search button to load the result list.
6. Click your property to see the assessed value, bill amount, and payment status.
7. Add the parcel to your cart if you want to make an online payment.

For questions about a search result, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official Dauphin County website at https://www.dauphincounty.gov.

Dauphin County Real Estate Tax Overview

Dauphin County collects real estate taxes every year on behalf of itself, the local school district, the municipality, and any special taxing bodies. In Hershey, the local municipality is Derry Township and the school district is the Derry Township School District. The total bill you receive each year combines all these millage rates into one amount.

The county releases an official millage rate document each January that lists every rate for the year. You can read the 2026 document on the county site to check the exact rate for each taxing body that covers your parcel.

The county assessor decides the fair market value of each property as of a fixed date each year. That assessed value sets the base for your bill before any exemptions are applied.

Hershey Property Tax Rates and Millage Structure

Hershey property tax rates follow the combined Dauphin County millage that applies to Derry Township parcels. The statewide average effective property tax rate in Pennsylvania sits near 2.88 percent of assessed value. Hershey typically runs higher than that statewide average because Derry Township funds school and municipal services through its own levies.

Public data from third-party tax tools shows the median effective property tax rate in Hershey sits around 3.13 percent of assessed value. This number comes from real parcel records in Dauphin County and serves as a solid benchmark for budgeting.

• Countywide millage covers general county operations and debt.
• Township millage covers police, fire, roads, and parks.
• School district millage covers teacher pay, buildings, and student programs.
• Special millage may cover libraries, vocational schools, or hospitals.

You can read the official 2026 Dauphin County millage rates PDF for the exact number on each line item. The PDF lists every taxing body and its millage for real estate taxes levied in 2026.

Hershey Property Tax Assessment Process

The Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment assigns a fair market value to every parcel in Hershey each year. The assessor looks at sales of similar homes, the size and condition of your property, and any features that add or subtract value. The county uses that value to set your annual tax bill.

You can check your current assessed value on the Dauphin County property tax inquiry portal. Search by parcel number, owner name, or street address to pull up the record for your home or business.

The assessment process follows these steps:

1. The assessor reviews all property sales in your neighborhood for the year.
2. The office adjusts assessed values to reflect current market conditions.
3. The county mails an assessment notice to every owner whose value changes.
4. Owners review the notice and decide whether to appeal.
5. The county finalizes values after all appeals close.

If you want to talk to an assessor about your value, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official Dauphin County website.

Hershey Property Tax Bill Breakdown

Your Hershey property tax bill contains several line items stacked on top of each other. Each line item belongs to a different taxing body, and each one uses its own millage rate. The total of all those lines equals the full bill you owe.

Look at your bill closely to see how the total splits between the county, the township, and the school district. Many residents focus only on the grand total, but the breakdown shows you which levies make up the largest share of your payment.

Pay attention to line items that jump from year to year. A sudden spike in one line often signals a millage change, a reassessment, or a removed exemption.

Hershey Property Tax Payment Portal and Methods

Dauphin County operates an online payment portal that accepts electronic payments for Hershey property tax bills. The portal lives at the same address as the public search tool. You add parcels to your cart and pay the total with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

Before you pay, gather your parcel number and a valid payment method. The portal charges a small convenience fee for card payments, while e-checks usually carry a flat fee that is lower than the card rate.

• Online credit or debit card payment through the county portal
• Electronic check through the county portal
• Check by mail to the tax collector listed on your bill
• In-person payment at the tax collector office during business hours

For the exact fee schedule and accepted payment types, refer to the Dauphin County website at https://www.dauphincounty.gov.

Hershey Property Tax Due Date and Delinquency Penalties

Hershey property tax bills carry a due date printed on the front of each bill. The county mails bills once a year, and the due date falls roughly two months after the mailing date. The 2026 mailing and due date schedule sits inside the official 2026 Dauphin County Tax Collectors PDF, which lists every township tax collector and their contact details.

If you pay after the due date, penalty and interest charges begin to accrue. Pennsylvania law sets a standard penalty rate for late property tax payments, and that penalty grows the longer you wait. After enough time passes, the county can file a lien against the property and start the upset sale process.

To stay safe, mark these key facts:

1. Read the due date printed on your bill as soon as it arrives.
2. Pay before the due date to avoid any penalty.
3. Keep a copy of your payment receipt for your records.
4. Contact the tax collector right away if you cannot pay on time.

If your bill is already late, call the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau at 717-780-6125 to ask about payment plans.

Hershey Property Tax Exemption Criteria

Dauphin County grants property tax exemptions to owners who meet specific state and county rules. The most common exemptions for Hershey homeowners include the homestead exemption, senior citizen exemption, disabled person exemption, and veteran exemption. Each program has its own income, age, or service requirement.

The homestead exemption reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence, which lowers your bill each year. To qualify, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence on the date the county sets for the exemption. You also must apply by the deadline the county sets each year.

For application forms and current eligibility rules, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Appeal Guidelines

Every Hershey property owner has the right to appeal the assessed value on the county’s books. You can appeal if you believe the assessed value is higher than the fair market value of your property. Pennsylvania law sets the appeal deadline, and Dauphin County follows that schedule each year.

The appeal process starts with a written appeal filed with the county Board of Assessment Appeals. You need to submit evidence that supports your opinion of value. Strong evidence includes recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood, an independent appraisal, photos of needed repairs, and any features that hurt value.

• File your appeal before the county deadline.
• Include your parcel number on every page.
• Attach sale prices of comparable properties.
• Include photos of any damage or defects.
• Bring an appraisal if you have one from a licensed appraiser.

Most Pennsylvania counties set a common appeal deadline each year, and Dauphin County uses a similar window. Check the current deadline on the county website at https://www.dauphincounty.gov.

Hershey Senior Property Tax Relief Programs

Older Hershey residents can apply for several property tax relief programs that lower their annual bills. The Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is the largest statewide program, and Dauphin County processes those applications through the state Department of Revenue. The program gives cash rebates to seniors and people with disabilities who meet income limits.

On top of the state rebate, the county offers a senior citizen exemption that lowers the taxable assessed value of your home. Some municipalities add their own senior relief programs, so it pays to ask Derry Township about local options.

Key facts about senior relief for Hershey residents:

1. You must file the state rebate application with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
2. The county senior exemption requires a separate application filed with the assessor.
3. Both programs have income limits that the state updates each year.
4. You can apply for both programs at the same time.

For county senior exemption questions, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website. For the state rebate, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue website at https://revenue.pa.gov.

Hershey Homeowner Property Tax Obligations

As a Hershey homeowner, you owe property tax to Dauphin County every year on every property you own. The tax is a lien on the property, which means it attaches to the land and the building rather than to you personally. If you sell the home, the unpaid tax stays with the property until it is paid off.

Most homeowners pay their Hershey property tax bill in one annual payment. Some owners choose to pay through a mortgage escrow account, where the lender collects a portion of the bill each month and pays the county when the bill comes due. Either way, the total amount owed stays the same.

• Pay the full bill before the printed due date.
• Keep your mailing address current with the county.
• Read your bill carefully for any errors.
• Save your payment receipt for tax records.

If you change your address, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Commercial Property Tax Rates

Commercial property in Hershey pays the same Dauphin County millage as residential parcels, plus any additional levies the township or school district applies to commercial use. The county assessor also treats commercial property differently because the assessor looks at income, expense, and rental data along with sales prices.

Owners of commercial parcels can appeal the assessed value the same way residential owners can. Strong evidence for a commercial appeal includes rent rolls, income statements, vacancy rates, and sale prices of similar commercial buildings.

Common commercial property types in Hershey include:

1. Retail stores and restaurants in the downtown corridor
2. Office space along Chocolate Avenue and nearby streets
3. Hotels and tourism properties near Hersheypark
4. Light industrial buildings and warehouses on the township edges

For commercial assessment questions, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Rental Property Tax Considerations

Owners who rent out homes or apartments in Hershey must still pay property tax on each rental unit. The tax bill goes to the owner, not to the tenant, even when the lease says the tenant will cover property tax. The county bills the owner of record based on the deed on file with the Recorder of Deeds.

Many landlords pay property tax through the same online portal that owner-occupied residents use. The search at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com lets landlords add multiple parcels to a cart and pay all bills at one time.

• Keep your rental property deed on file with the Recorder of Deeds.
• Set up a property tax escrow account for each rental unit.
• Pay bills on time to protect your rental from liens.
• Track every payment by parcel for tax season.

If you need help with a rental parcel, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Lien and Delinquency Procedures

When a Hershey property tax bill goes unpaid, Dauphin County places a lien on the property. The lien stays on the parcel record until the tax, penalty, and interest are paid in full. After enough time passes, the county can list the property for a judicial sale through the Tax Claim Bureau.

The Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau runs the upset sale and judicial sale process for unpaid taxes. Property owners can stop the sale by paying all back taxes, penalties, and costs before the sale date printed in the public notice. Judicial sale registration is held from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Tax Claim Bureau office located at 2 South Second Street, 1st Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101, and the registration fee is $100, payable by cash or check only. Photo ID and a current mailing address are required to register.

Recent county records show that delinquent owners must pay all prior year taxes by a strict deadline to remove the property from the next judicial sale. For example, a 2026 county notice required owners to pay all 2026 and prior delinquent property taxes by 4:30 PM on June 29, 2026.

Call the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau at 717-780-6125 to ask about a delinquent bill, a lien payoff, or a judicial sale schedule.

Hershey Property Tax Refund Eligibility

You can get a Hershey property tax refund if you overpaid your bill, paid the same parcel twice, or paid after you sold the property. The county processes refunds through the tax collector who received the original payment, and each collector has its own refund request form.

To request a refund, you must prove that you paid more than the bill required. Common proof includes a copy of the bill, the canceled check or bank statement, and a closing statement if the refund relates to a sale.

• Overpayment from a billing error
• Duplicate payment on the same parcel
• Payment made after the property sold
• Payment made after an exemption was applied late

Contact the tax collector listed on your bill to start a refund claim. For county-level questions, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Calculator and Estimation Tools

You can estimate your Hershey property tax bill before it arrives by using an online property tax calculator. These tools take your assessed value and apply the local effective tax rate to generate an estimate. Public data shows the median effective rate in Hershey sits around 3.13 percent, so a quick rule of thumb is to multiply your assessed value by 0.0313.

You can also pull your actual assessed value from the Dauphin County portal at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. Once you know the assessed value and the millage for your taxing bodies, you can build a precise estimate by hand.

Steps for a manual estimate:

1. Find the assessed value of your home on the county portal.
2. Subtract any approved exemption value.
3. Multiply the taxable value by the combined millage rate as a decimal.
4. Add any flat fees charged by your tax collector.
5. The result equals your expected annual property tax bill.

For the exact 2026 millage rate that applies to your parcel, read the Dauphin County millage rates PDF on the county site.

Hershey Tax Collector Office Hours and Contact

Each Hershey parcel pays its bill through the tax collector that covers Derry Township. The official 2026 Dauphin County Tax Collectors PDF lists every township tax collector, the office address, the phone number, and the office hours for that collector.

Tax collector offices typically handle in-person payments, answer billing questions, and process refund requests during posted business hours. Many collectors also accept payment by mail and offer a secure drop box for after-hours payments.

• Call before you visit to confirm posted office hours.
• Bring your most recent tax bill and a valid photo ID.
• Ask about payment plans if you cannot pay the full amount.
• Request a receipt for every payment you make in person.

For the collector that serves your Hershey parcel, check the 2026 Dauphin County Tax Collectors PDF linked on the county website.

Comparison of Hershey and Neighboring Town Property Taxes

Hershey sits inside Derry Township, and Derry Township borders several other townships and boroughs in Dauphin County. Each neighboring area has its own millage for municipal and school district purposes, which leads to different effective tax rates from one town to the next.

Because the school district levy often makes up the largest share of the bill, the school district assigned to your address drives most of the difference. Hershey residents typically fall under the Derry Township School District, while nearby addresses may fall under other districts that fund local schools at different levels.

Use the county portal at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com to compare assessed values and tax history for any parcel in the region.

Mortgage Escrow and Hershey Property Tax

Many Hershey homeowners pay their property tax through a mortgage escrow account. The lender collects a portion of the expected bill each month along with your mortgage payment, holds the money in escrow, and pays the bill when it comes due. This setup spreads the cost over 12 months instead of one large payment.

If you have an escrow account, your mortgage statement shows the property tax line each month. The lender also sends an annual escrow analysis that explains any shortage or surplus in your account. A shortage means your monthly payment may rise, while a surplus may result in a refund check.

• Review your annual escrow statement each year.
• Tell your lender about any exemption that lowers your bill.
• Ask your lender to send copies of paid tax receipts.
• Keep your own records as a backup to the escrow account.

For escrow-related questions about a Hershey parcel, contact your mortgage servicer first. For county billing questions, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Audit Procedures

Dauphin County can audit a property tax record to make sure the assessed value, ownership, and exemption data are correct. An audit may happen when the county sees a major change in the property, when a permit is pulled, or when a sale closes at a price far from the assessed value.

During an audit, the county may request interior access, recent sales documents, or proof of an exemption. The owner can provide the documents by mail, by email, or in person at the assessor office. Once the audit finishes, the county updates the record and issues a new bill if needed.

1. The county sends an audit notice to the property owner.
2. The owner gathers the requested documents.
3. The county reviews the documents and may inspect the property.
4. The county issues an updated assessment notice.
5. The owner pays any additional tax or appeals the new value.

For audit-related questions, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Credit Programs

Hershey residents may qualify for several property tax credit programs run by the state, the county, or local nonprofits. The Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is the most common statewide credit and provides cash back to seniors and people with disabilities who meet income limits.

At the local level, Derry Township may offer tax work-off programs that credit seniors for volunteer hours against their tax bill. Local charities and civic groups also run occasional relief funds for residents facing hardship.

• Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
• Derry Township senior tax work-off program
• County senior and disabled exemption credits
• Charitable hardship funds for property tax arrears

For a full list of current credit programs, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Tax Roll Details

The Dauphin County tax roll lists every parcel in the county, including every Hershey property, along with the assessed value, owner of record, and tax history. The county publishes a tax roll table as an open data set, and the table includes ownership, land and building value, Act 319 status, acreage, use code, and the property address.

You can search the same data through the county’s public search tool at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. The open data table and the public search portal both draw from the county tax assessment database, so the data matches across systems.

For questions about a tax roll entry, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Assessment Notice Template

Dauphin County mails an assessment notice to every Hershey property owner whose assessed value changes from one year to the next. The notice shows the old value, the new value, the reason for the change, and the deadline to file an appeal. The county uses a standard template for these notices, and the wording stays consistent year to year.

If you lose your notice, you can pull the same data from the public portal at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. Search by parcel number to see the current assessed value, the prior value, and any pending changes on the record.

• Old assessed value
• New assessed value
• Reason for the change
• Appeal deadline date
• Instructions on how to file an appeal

For a copy of your current assessment notice, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Hershey Property Tax Records and Recorder of Deeds

The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office keeps the official ownership records that link each parcel to its owner. The Recorder of Deeds also records mortgages, liens, and deeds that affect property tax billing. The Tax Assessment Office relies on those recorded documents to decide who receives each bill.

You can search Recorder of Deeds records through the official Dauphin County record search system. The search portal returns grantor and grantee names, recording dates, and document types. Use this search to confirm the owner of a Hershey parcel before you buy, sell, or file an appeal.

• Search by grantor name (the seller)
• Search by grantee name (the buyer)
• Search by recording date range
• Search by parcel number or document type

For contact information on the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office, visit the official county website at https://www.dauphincounty.gov.

Hershey Property Tax Historical Trends

Hershey property tax rates have moved up and down over the years based on county budgets, school district budgets, and township decisions. The county releases a millage rate document each January that shows the rates for the current year, and past years’ documents sit on the county site as PDF archives.

You can track a Hershey parcel’s history through the public search portal at https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. The portal shows prior assessments, prior bills, and prior payments for any parcel you search. Tracking this history helps you spot patterns, plan for future bills, and decide whether to file an appeal.

1. Search for your parcel on the county portal.
2. Open the tax history tab to see prior bills.
3. Compare the year-over-year change in assessed value.
4. Compare the year-over-year change in total tax billed.
5. Use that data to budget for the next year.

For help reading tax history data, contact the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment through the official county website.

Contact, Local Details, and Map

The two main offices that handle Hershey property tax sit in downtown Harrisburg, a short drive from Hershey. The Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment handles all assessments, exemptions, and appeals. The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office keeps the ownership records that the assessor relies on for every billing decision. The Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent taxes and judicial sales, and can be reached at 717-780-6125.

Official Dauphin County website: https://www.dauphincounty.gov

Official Dauphin County property tax search portal: https://dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com

Official Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds record search: https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/publicly-elected-officials/recorder-of-deeds/record-search-system

Frequently Asked Questions

Hershey property tax matters affect every homeowner, renter, and business owner in Derry Township. Knowing how to find your bill, pay on time, claim exemptions, or appeal an assessment can save money and avoid penalties. Below are the most common queries, each answered with clear steps and exact contact details from Dauphin County.

What is the Hershey property tax due date for 2026 and how can I pay online?

The 2026 tax bill for Hershey properties is due by October 15. Payments can be made through the Dauphin County online portal at dauphinpa.devnetwedge.com. After logging in with your parcel number, choose credit card, ACH, or phone payment. The site confirms receipt instantly and provides a receipt you can print for your records.

How do I contact the Hershey tax assessor for questions about my assessment?

Reach the Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment at (717) 780‑6101 or email taxassessment@dauphincounty.gov. The office sits at 2 South Second Street, 2nd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Calls are answered Monday‑Friday, 8 a.m.‑5 p.m. Ask for the “Hershey property assessment” team; they can verify your assessed value, explain exemptions, or schedule an in‑person review.

Which exemptions apply to Hershey homeowners and how can I apply?

Homeowners may qualify for the Homestead Exemption, senior citizen exemption, and veteran exemption. To claim, submit a completed exemption form before April 30, 2026, via the same online portal used for bill lookup. Attach proof of residency, age, or military service as required. Once approved, the exemption reduces the taxable value on next year’s bill.

What steps should I follow to appeal a Hershey property tax assessment?

First, obtain your assessment notice from the online portal. Next, gather evidence such as recent sales data, appraisals, or repair invoices. File an appeal online or by mail to the Board of Assessment Appeals before the August 1, 2026 deadline. Include a written statement and supporting documents. Attend the hearing if scheduled; the board issues a decision within 30 days of the hearing.

How can I find the Hershey tax roll for 2026 and understand my bill breakdown?

Visit the Dauphin County open data site at tax‑roll‑table‑1. The table lists land value, building value, exemptions, and total tax due for each parcel. Match your parcel number to see each component – millage rate, school district share, and special district fees – and compare against neighboring properties.