Counties across the state and in southwestern PA are prepping for the start of their fiscal year, which runs January 1 to December 31.  The property tax is the main revenue source for counties, and officials in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties don’t anticipate a hike, and certainly want to avoid one.  This 2009 Brief examined county property tax increases at that time, about two years prior to a one mill hike in the Allegheny County property tax.

Based on DCED’s statistics page which contains links to annual financial reports of all counties, the five counties in southwest PA listed in the Brief all levy taxes on real estate and hotel room rentals, though the rate for the latter is controlled via state statutes.  Allegheny is also authorized to tax sales, alcoholic drinks, and vehicle rentals via special state legislation for just Allegheny County, and with maximum rates written into state statutes.