[Adopted 3-17-1987 by Ord. No. 461]
This part shall be known as the "Realty Transfer Tax Ordinance
of the Borough of Sharpsburg."
A realty transfer tax for general revenue purposes is hereby
imposed upon the transfer of real estate or interest in real estate
situated within the Borough of Sharpsburg, regardless of where the
documents making the transfer are made, executed or delivered, or
where the actual settlements on such transfer took place as authorized
by Article XI-D, Local Real Estate Transfer Tax, 72 P.S. § 8101-D
et seq.
[Amended 1-12-1998 by Ord. No. 98-1]
As used in this Part 2, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A partnership, limited partnership or any other form of unincorporated
enterprise owned or conducted by two or more persons or other than
a private trust or decedent's estate.
A corporation, joint-stock association, business trust or
banking institution which is organized under the laws of this commonwealth,
the United States or any other state, territory, foreign country or
dependence.
Any deed, instrument or writing which conveys, transfers, demises, vests, confirms or evidences any transfer or demise of title to real estate, but does not include wills, mortgages, deeds of trust or other instruments of like character given as security for a debt and deeds of release thereof to the debtor, land contracts whereby the legal title does not pass to the grantee until the total consideration specified in the contract has been paid or any cancellation thereof unless the consideration is payable over a period of time exceeding 30 years, or instruments which solely grant, vest or confirm a public utility easement. "Document" shall also include a declaration of acquisition required to be presented for recording under § 24-209 of this part.
A corporation of which at least 75% of its assets are devoted
to the business of agriculture and at least 75% of each class of stock
of the corporation is continuously owned by members of the same family.
The business or agriculture shall not be deemed to include:
Recreational activities, such as, but not limited to, hunting,
fishing, camping, skiing, show competition or racing;
The raising, breeding or training of game animals or game birds,
fish, cats, dogs or pets or animals intended for use in sporting or
recreational activities;
Fur farming;
Stockyard and slaughterhouse operations; or
Manufacturing or processing operations of any kind.
Any trust, other than a business trust, intended as a will
substitute by the settlor, which becomes effective during the lifetime
of the settlor, but from which trust distributions cannot be made
to any beneficiaries other than the settlor prior to the death of
the settlor.
Any individual, such individual's brothers and sisters, the
brothers and sisters of such individual's parents and grandparents,
the ancestors and lineal descendents of any of the foregoing, a spouse
of any of the foregoing, and the estate of any of the foregoing. Individuals
related by the half-blood or legal adoption shall be treated as if
they were related by the whole-blood.
Any trust, other than a business trust or a living trust,
which takes effect during the lifetime of the settlor and for which
the trustee of the trust takes title to property primarily for the
purpose of protecting, managing or conserving it until distribution
to the named beneficiaries of the trust. An ordinary trust does not
include a trust that has an objective to carry on business and divide
gains, nor does it either expressly or impliedly have any of the following
features: the treatment of beneficiaries as associates, the treatment
of the interests in the trust as personal property, the free transferability
of beneficial interests in the trust, centralized management by the
trustee or the beneficiaries, or continuity of life.
Every natural person, association or corporation. Whenever
used in any clause prescribing and imposing a fine or imprisonment,
or both. The term "person," as applied to associations, shall include
the responsible members or general partners thereof and, as applied
to corporations, the officers thereof.
All lands, tenements or hereditaments within the Borough of
Sharpsburg, including without limitation buildings, structures, fixtures,
mines, minerals, oil, gas, quarries, spaces with or without upper
or lower boundaries, trees, and other improvements, immovables or
interests which by custom, usage or law pass with a conveyance or
land, but excluding permanently attached machinery and equipment in
an industrial plant.
A condominium unit.
A tenant-stockholder's interest in a cooperative housing corporation,
trust or association under a proprietary lease or occupancy agreement.
A corporation or association which is primarily engaged in
the business of holding, selling or leasing real estate, 90% or more
of the ownership interest in which is held by 35 or fewer persons
and which:
Derives 60% or more of its annual gross receipts from the ownership
or disposition of real estate; or
Holds real estate, the value of which comprises 90% or more
of the value of its entire tangible asset holdings exclusive of tangible
assets which are freely transferable and actively traded on an established
market.
Any interest in real estate which endures for a period of time,
the termination of which is not fixed or ascertained by a specific
number of years, including without limitation an estate in fee simple,
life estate, or perpetual leasehold; or
Any interest in real estate enduring for a fixed period of years
but which, either by reason of the length of the term or the grant
of a right to extend the term by renewal or otherwise, consists of
a group of rights approximating those of an estate in fee simple,
life estate or perpetual leasehold, including without limitation a
leasehold interest or possessory interest under a lease or occupancy
agreement for a term of 30 years or more or a leasehold interest or
possessory interest in real estate in which the lessee has equity.
The making, executing, delivering, accepting or presenting
for recording of a document.
In the case of any bona fide sale of real estate at arm's length
for actual monetary worth, the amount of the actual consideration
therefor, paid or to be paid, including liens or other encumbrances
thereon existing before the transfer and not removed thereby, whether
or not the underlying indebtedness is assumed, and ground rents or
a commensurate part thereof where such liens or other encumbrances
and ground rents also encumber or are charged against other real estate,
provided that, where such documents shall set forth a nominal consideration,
the "value" thereof shall be determined from the price set forth in
or actual consideration for the contract of sale;
In the case of a gift, sale by execution upon a judgment or
upon the foreclosure of a mortgage by a judicial officer, transactions
without consideration or for consideration less than the actual monetary
worth of the real estate, a taxable lease, an occupancy agreement,
a leasehold or possessory interest, any exchange of properties, or
the real estate of an acquired company, the actual monetary worth
of the real estate determined by adjusting the assessed value of the
real estate for local real estate tax purposes for the common level
ratio factor developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax base calculations;
The actual consideration for or actual monetary worth of any
executory agreement for the construction of buildings, structures
or other permanent improvements to real estate between the grantor
and other persons existing before the transfer and not removed thereby
or between the grantor, the agent or principal of the grantor of a
related corporation, association or partnership and the grantee existing
before or effective with the transfer.
1.
Every person who makes, executes, delivers, accepts or presents for
recording any document or in whose behalf any document is made, executed,
delivered, accepted or presented for recording, shall be subject to
pay for and in respect to the transaction or any part thereof a tax
at the rate of 1% of the value of the real estate represented by such
document, which tax shall be payable at the earlier of the time the
document is presented for recording or within 30 days of acceptance
of such document or within 30 days of becoming an acquired company.
2.
The payment of the tax imposed herein shall be evidenced by the affixing
of an official stamp or writing by the Recorder whereon the date of
the payment of the tax, amount of the tax and the signature of the
collecting agency shall be set forth.
3.
It is the intent of this part that the entire burden of the tax imposed
herein on a person or transfer shall not exceed the limitations prescribed
in The Local Tax Enabling Act, Act of December 31, 1965, P.L. 1257,
53 P.S. § 6901 et seq.,[1] so that if any other political subdivision shall impose
or hereafter shall impose such tax on the same person or transfer,
then the tax levied by the Borough of Sharpsburg under the authority
of the Act shall, during the time such duplication of the tax exists,
except as hereinafter otherwise provided, be 1/2 of the rate, and
such 1/2 rate shall become effective without any action on the part
of the Borough of Sharpsburg; provided, however, that the Borough
of Sharpsburg and any other political subdivision which impose such
tax on the same person or transfer may agree that, instead of limiting
their respective rates to 1/2 of the rate herein provided, they will
impose respectively different rates, the total of which shall not
exceed the maximum rate permitted under The Local Tax Enabling Act.
Where any lands, tenements or hereditaments being situate partly within
and partly without the boundaries of the Borough of Sharpsburg are
conveyed by a document, such tax so levied shall be calculated on
the valuation of that portion of such lands and tenements lying within
the limits of the Borough of Sharpsburg.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now 53 P.S. § 6924.101 et seq.
4.
If for any reason the tax is not paid when due, interest at the rate
in effect at the time the tax is due shall be added and collected.
The United States, the commonwealth or any of their instrumentalities,
agencies or political subdivisions shall be exempt from payment of
the tax imposed by this part. The exemption of such governmental bodies
shall not, however, relieve any other party to a transaction from
liability for the tax.
[Amended 1-12-1998 by Ord. No. 98-1; 2-21-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
1.
The tax imposed by § 24-204 shall not be imposed upon:
A.
A transfer to the commonwealth or to any of its instrumentalities,
agencies or political subdivisions by gift, dedication or deed in
lieu of condemnation or deed of confirmation in connection with condemnation
proceedings or a reconveyance by the condemning body of the property
condemned to the owner of record at the time of condemnation, which
reconveyance is made within one year from the date of condemnation.
B.
A document which the Borough of Sharpsburg is prohibited from taxing
under the Constitution or statutes of the United States.
C.
A conveyance to a municipality, township, school district or county
pursuant to acquisition by the municipality, township, school district
or county of a tax delinquent property at sheriff sale or tax claim
bureau sale.
D.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration which corrects
or confirms a transfer previously recorded, but which does not extend
or limit existing record legal title or interest.
E.
A transfer or division in kind for no or nominal actual consideration
of property passed by testate or intestate succession and held by
cotenants; however, if any of the parties take shares greater in value
than their undivided interest, tax is due on the excess.
F.
A transfer between husband and wife, between persons who were previously
husband and wife who have since been divorced, provided the property
or interest therein subject to such transfer was acquired by the husband
and wife or husband or wife prior to the granting of the final decree
in divorce, between parent and child or the spouse of such child,
between brother or sister or spouse of a brother or sister and brother
or sister or the spouse of a brother or sister, and between a grandparents
and grandchild or the spouse of such grandchild, except that subsequent
transfer by the grantee within one year shall be subject to tax as
if the grantor were making such transfer.
G.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration of property passing
by testate or intestate succession from a personal representative
of a decedent to the decedent's devisee or heir.
H.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration to a trustee of
an ordinary trust where the transfer of the same property would be
exempt if the transfer was made directly from the grantor to all of
the possible beneficiaries that are entitled to receive the property
or proceeds from the sale of the property under the trust, whether
or not such beneficiaries are contingent or specifically named. A
trust clause which identifies the contingent beneficiaries by reference
to the heirs of the trust settlor as determined by the laws of the
intestate succession shall not disqualify a transfer from the exclusion
provided by this clause. No such exemption shall be granted unless
the Recorder of Deeds is presented with a copy of the trust instrument
that clearly identifies the grantor and all possible beneficiaries.
(1)
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration to a trustee
of a living trust from the settlor of the living trust. No such exemption
shall be granted unless the Recorder of Deeds is presented with a
copy of the living trust instrument.
I.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from a trustee
of an ordinary trust to a specifically named beneficiary that is entitled
to receive the property under the recorded trust instrument or to
a contingent beneficiary where the transfer of the same property would
be exempt if the transfer was made by the grantor of the property
into the trust to that beneficiary. However, any transfer of real
estate from a living trust during the settlor's lifetime shall be
considered for the purposes of this article as if such transfer were
made directly from the settlor to the grantee.
(1)
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from a trustee
of a living trust after the death of the settlor of the trust or from
a trustee of a trust created pursuant to the will of a decedent to
a beneficiary to whom the property is devised or bequeathed.
(2)
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from the trustee
of a living trust to the settlor of the living trust if such property
was originally conveyed to the trustee by the settlor.
J.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from trustee to
successor trustee.
K.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration between principal
and agent or straw party or from or to an agent or straw party where,
if the agent or straw party were his principal, no tax would be imposed
under this article. Where the document by which title is acquired
by a grantee or statement of value fails to set forth that the property
was acquired by the grantee from or for the benefit of his principal,
there is a rebuttable presumption that the property is the property
of the grantee in his individual capacity if the grantee claims an
exemption from taxation under this clause.
L.
A transfer made pursuant to the statutory merger or consolidation
of a corporation or statutory division of a nonprofit corporation,
except where the Department reasonably determines that the primary
intent for such merger, consolidation or division is avoidance of
the tax imposed by this part.
M.
A transfer from a corporation or association of real estate held
of record in the name of the corporation or association, where the
grantee owns stock of the corporation or an interest in the association
in the same proportion as his interest in or ownership of the real
estate being conveyed and where the stock of the corporation or the
interest in the association has been held by the grantee for more
than two years.
N.
A transfer from a nonprofit industrial development agency or authority
to a grantee of property conveyed by the grantee to that agency or
authority as security for a debt of the grantee or a transfer to a
nonprofit industrial development agency or authority.
O.
A transfer from a nonprofit industrial development agency or authority
to a grantee purchasing directly from it, but only if:
(1)
The grantee shall directly use such real estate for the primary
purpose of manufacturing, fabricating, compounding, processing, publishing,
research and development, transportation, energy conversion, energy
production, pollution control, warehousing or agriculture; and
(2)
The agency or authority has the full ownership interest in the
real estate transferred.
P.
A transfer by a mortgagor to the holder of a bona fide mortgage in
default in lieu of a foreclosure or a transfer pursuant to a judicial
sale in which the successful bidder is the bona fide holder of a mortgage,
unless the holder assigns the bid to another person.
Q.
Any transfer between religious organizations or other bodies or persons
holding title for a religious organization if such real estate is
not being or has not been used by such transferor for commercial purposes.
R.
A transfer to a conservancy which possesses a tax-exempt status pursuant
to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [68A Stat.
3, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)], and which has as its primary
purpose preservation of land for historic, recreational, scenic, agricultural
or open space opportunities; or a transfer from such a conservancy
to the United States, the commonwealth or to any of their instrumentalities,
agencies or political subdivisions; or any transfer from such a conservancy
where the real estate is encumbered by a perpetual agricultural conservation
easement as defined by the Act of June 30, 1981 (P.L. 128, No. 43),
known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, and such conservancy
has owned the real estate for at least two years immediately prior
to the transfer.
S.
A transfer of real estate devoted to the business of agriculture
to a family farm corporation by a member of the same family which
directly owns at least 75% of each class of the stock thereof.
(1)
A transfer of real estate devoted to the business of agriculture
to a family farm partnership by a member of the same family, which
family directly owns at least 75% of the interests in the partnership.
T.
A transfer between members of the same family of an ownership interest
in a real estate company or family farm corporation.
U.
A transaction wherein the tax due is $1 or less.
V.
Leases for the production or extraction of coal, oil, natural gas
or minerals and assignments thereof.
2.
In order to exercise any exclusion provided in this section, the
true, full and complete value of the transfer shall be shown on the
statement of value. A copy of the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax
Statement of Value may be submitted for this purpose. For leases of
coal, oil, natural gas or minerals, the statement of value may be
limited to an explanation of the reason such document is not subject
to tax under this part.
Except as otherwise provided in § 24-206, documents which make, confirm or evidence any transfer or demise of title to real estate between associations or corporations and the members, partners, shareholders or stockholders thereof are fully taxable. For the purposes of this part, corporations and associations are entities separate from their members, partners, stockholders or shareholders.
[Amended 2-21-2013 by Ord. No. 13-05]
1.
A real estate company is an acquired company upon a change in the
ownership interest in the company, however effected, if the change
does not affect the continuity of the company and, of itself or together
with prior changes, has the effect of transferring, directly or indirectly,
90% or more of the total ownership interest in the company within
a period of three years.
A.
With respect to real estate acquired after February 16, 1986, a family
farm corporation is an acquired company when, because of voluntary
or involuntary dissolution, it ceases to be a family farm corporation
or when, because of issuance or transfer of stock or because of acquisition
or transfer of assets that are devoted to the business of agriculture,
it fails to meet the minimum requirements of a family farm corporation
under this part.
B.
A family farm partnership is an acquired company when, because of
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, it ceases to be a family farm
partnership or when, because of transfer of partnership interests
or because of acquisition or transfer of assets that are devoted to
the business of agriculture, it fails to meet the minimum requirements
of a family farm partnership under this act.
2.
Within 30 days after becoming an acquired company, the company shall
present a declaration of acquisition with the recorder of each county
in which it holds real estate for the affixation of documentary stamps
and recording. Such declaration shall set forth the value of real
estate holdings of the acquired company in such county. A copy of
the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax Declaration of Acquisition may
be submitted for this purpose.
1.
Where there is a transfer of a residential property by a licensed
real estate broker, which property was transferred to him within the
preceding year as consideration for the purchase of other residential
property, a credit for the amount of the tax paid at the time of the
transfer to him shall be given to him toward the amount of the tax
due upon the transfer.
2.
Where there is a transfer by a builder of residential property, which
was transferred to the builder within the preceding year as consideration
for the purchase of new, previously unoccupied residential property,
a credit for the amount of the tax paid at the time of the transfer
to the builder shall be given to the builder toward the amount of
the tax due upon the transfer.
3.
Where there is a transfer of real estate which is leased by the grantor,
a credit for the amount of tax paid at the time of the lease shall
be given the grantor toward the tax due upon the transfer.
4.
Where there is a conveyance by deed of real estate, which was previously
sold under a land contract by the grantor, a credit for the amount
of tax paid at the time of the sale shall be given the grantor toward
the tax due upon the deed.
5.
If the tax due upon the transfer is greater than the credit given
under this section, the difference shall be paid. If the credit allowed
is greater than the amount of tax due, no refund or carryover credit
shall be allowed.
In determining the term of a lease, it shall be presumed that
a right or option to renew or extend a lease will be exercised if
the rental charge to the lessee is fixed or if a method for calculating
the rental charge is established.
The tax herein imposed shall be fully paid and have priority
out of the proceeds of any judicial sale of real estate before any
other obligation, claim, lien, judgment, estate or costs of the sale
and of the writ upon which the sale is made, except the state realty
transfer tax, and the sheriff or other officer conducting said sale
shall pay the tax herein imposed out of the first moneys paid to him
in connection therewith. If the proceeds of the sale are insufficient
to pay the entire tax herein imposed, the purchaser shall be liable
for the remaining tax.
1.
As provided in 16 P.S. § 11011-6, as amended by Act of
July 7, 1983 (P.L. 40, No. 21), the Recorder of Deeds shall be the
collection agent for the local realty transfer tax, including any
amount payable to the Borough of Sharpsburg based on a redetermination
of the amount of tax due by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of the
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax, without compensation from the Borough
of Sharpsburg.
2.
In order to ascertain the amount of taxes due when the property is
located in more than one political subdivision, the Recorder shall
not accept for recording such a deed unless it is accompanied by a
statement of value showing what taxes are due each municipality.
3.
On or before the 10th of each month, the Recorder shall pay over
to the Borough of Sharpsburg all local realty transfer taxes collected,
less 2% for use of the county, together with a report containing the
information as is required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
reporting collections of the Pennsylvania realty transfer tax. The
two-percent commission shall be paid to the county.
4.
Upon redetermination of the amount of realty transfer tax due by
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Recorder shall rerecord the
deed or record the additional realty transfer tax form only when both
the state and local amounts and a rerecording or recording fee has
been tendered.
Every document lodged with or presented to the Recorder of Deeds
for recording shall set forth therein and as a part of such document
the true, full and complete value thereof or shall be accompanied
by a statement of value executed by a responsible person connected
with the transaction showing such connection and setting forth the
true, full and complete value thereof or the reason, if any, why such
document is not subject to tax under this part. A copy of the Pennsylvania
Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value may be submitted for this purpose.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any excludable real
estate transfers which are exempt from taxation based on family relationship.
Other documents presented for the affixation of stamps shall be accompanied
by a certified copy of the document and statement of value executed
by a responsible person connected with the transaction, showing such
connection and setting forth the true, full and complete value thereof
or the reason, if any, why such document is not subject to tax under
this part.
1.
If any part of any underpayment of tax imposed by this part is due
to fraud, there shall be added to the tax an amount equal to 50% of
the underpayment.
2.
In the case of failure to record a declaration required under this
part on the date prescribed therefor, unless it is shown that such
failure is due to reasonable cause, there shall be added to the tax
5% of the amount of such tax if the failure is for not more than one
month, with an additional 5% for each additional month or fraction
thereof during which such failure continues, not exceeding 50% in
the aggregate.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
1.
Accept or present for recording or cause to be accepted or presented
for recording any document without full amount of tax thereon being
duly paid.
2.
Make use of any documentary stamp to denote payment of any tax imposed
by this part without canceling such stamp as required by this part
or as prescribed by the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny County.
3.
Fail, neglect or refuse to comply with or violate the rules and regulations
prescribed, adopted and promulgated by the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny
County under the provisions of this part.
4.
Fraudulently cut, tear or remove from a document any documentary
stamp.
5.
Fraudulently affix to any document upon which tax is imposed by this
part any documentary stamp which has been cut, torn or removed from
any other document upon which tax is imposed by this part, or any
documentary stamp of insufficient value, or any forged or counterfeited
stamp, or any impression of any forged or counterfeited stamp, die,
plate or other part.
6.
Wilfully remove or alter the cancellation marks of any documentary
stamp or restore any such documentary stamp with intent to use or
cause the same to be used after it has already been used, or knowingly
buy, sell, offer for sale or give away any such altered or restored
stamp to any person for use, or knowingly use the same.
7.
Knowingly have in his possession any altered or restored documentary
stamp which has been removed from any document upon which tax is imposed
by this part, provided that the possession of such stamps shall be
prima facie evidence of an intent to violate the provisions of this
part.
8.
Knowingly or wilfully prepare, keep, sell, offer for sale or have
in his possession any forged or counterfeited documentary stamps.
9.
Make a false statement of value or declaration of acquisition when
he does not believe the statement or declaration to be true.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this part shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$300 and costs of prosecution, or to undergo imprisonment of not more
than 30 days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
The tax imposed by this part shall become a lien upon the lands,
tenements or hereditaments, or any interest therein, lying, being
situated, wholly or in part, within the boundaries of the Borough
of Sharpsburg, which lands, tenements, hereditaments or interest therein
are described in or conveyed by or transferred by the deed which is
the subject to the tax imposed, assessed and levied by this part,
said lien to begin at the time when the tax under this part is due
and payable and continue until discharge by payment or in accordance
with the law, and the Solicitor is authorized to file a municipal
or tax claim in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, in
accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Claims and Liens Act
of 1923, 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq., its supplements and amendments.
All taxes imposed by this part, together with interest and penalties
prescribed herein, shall be recoverable as other debts of like character
are recovered.
The Secretary of the Borough of Sharpsburg is charged with enforcement
and collection of the tax and is empowered to promulgate and enforce
reasonable regulations for enforcement and collection of the tax.
The regulations which have been promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department
of Revenue under 72 P.S. § 8101-C et seq. are incorporated
into and made part of this part.
