Question 1

What is the property tax rate in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Property tax rates in Wilkes-Barre vary by location within town boundaries because different overlapping taxing districts (school, park, library, fire) apply to different properties. This page shows the full rate breakdown by district for Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, including the composite rate and individual fund-level detail.

Question 2

How much are property taxes in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Your property tax bill in Wilkes-Barre depends on your property's assessed value multiplied by the composite tax rate of all overlapping districts. This page breaks down every taxing district that applies in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, so you can see exactly where your tax dollars go.

Question 3

How are property tax rates determined in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Property tax rates in Pennsylvania are set by each taxing district (municipality, school district, park district, library, etc.) based on their annual levy (the amount of tax revenue they need). The rate is calculated by dividing the levy by the total assessed value of all property in the district.

Question 4

What is the composite tax rate?

Accepted Answer

The composite tax rate is the sum of all overlapping taxing district rates that apply to a specific property. A typical property may be taxed by several overlapping districts. The composite rate determines your total tax bill when multiplied by your property's assessed value.

Question 5

Why do tax rates vary within the same town?

Accepted Answer

Properties within the same municipality can have different composite rates because overlapping districts (school, park, fire, library) have different boundaries. A home in one school district may have a different rate than a home two blocks away in a different school district.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre Property Tax Rates

Property Tax — Tax Year 2026 (payable 2027)i