[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
This Part shall be known as the "Realty Transfer Tax Ordinance
of Northampton Township."
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
A realty transfer tax for general revenue purposes is hereby
imposed upon the transfer of real estate or interest in real estate
situated within Northampton Township, 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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Part,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except when
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A partnership, limited partnership or any other form of unincorporated
enterprise owned or conducted by two or more persons, 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
dependency.
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 § 24-302 of this Part.
A corporation of which at least 75% of its assets are devoted
to the business of agriculture and of which at least 75% of each class
of stock of the corporation is continuously owned by members of the
same family. The business of 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.
Manufacturing or processing operations of any kind.
Any individual, such individual's brothers and sisters,
the brothers and sisters of such individual's parents and grandparents,
the ancestors and lineal descendants of any of the foregoing, a spouse
of any of the foregoing and the estate of any of the foregoing. Individuals
related by half blood or legal adoption shall be treated as if they
were related by whole blood.
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 Township, 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 of 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.
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 as 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
or perpetual leasehold.
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 term of 30 years or more or a leasehold interest or
possessory interest in real estate in which the lessee has equity.
Northampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
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 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, as established by the State Tax Equalization
Board.
In the case of an easement or other interest in real estate,
the "value" of which is not determinable under Subsection A or B above,
the actual monetary worth of such interest.
The actual consideration for or actual monetary worth of an
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 principle of the grantor of a
related corporation, association or partnership and the grantee, existing
before or effective with the transfer.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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 of Deeds, whereon
the date of the payment of the tax, the amount of the tax and the
signature of the collecting agent 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. § 6924.101 et seq., 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 Board of Supervisors
under the authority of that Act shall, during the time such duplication
of the tax exists, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, be half
of the rate, and such half rate shall become effective without any
action on the part of the Township; provided, however, that the Township
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 half 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.
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
1.
The tax imposed by § 24-304 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 may include property line adjustments, provided that
said reconveyance is made within one year from the date of condemnation.
B.
A document which the Township 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 a sheriff's 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 takes a share greater in
value than his 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 that 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 the spouse of a brother or sister and
brother or sister or the spouse of a brother or sister and between
a grandparent and grandchild or the spouse of such grandchild, except
that a 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, whether or not such beneficiaries are
contingent or specifically named. 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.
I.
A transfer for no or nominal actual consideration from a trustee
to a beneficiary of an ordinary trust.
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 Part. 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 subsection.
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 in the corporation or an interest in the association
in the same proportion as his interest in the 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 or 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.
(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 § 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 the preservation of land for historic, recreational, scenic,
agricultural or open-space opportunities.
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.
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
Except as otherwise provided in § 24-306, 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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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 effect 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.
2.
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 the issuance or transfer of stock or because of
the acquisition or transfer of asset that are devoted to the business
of agriculture, it fails to meet the minimum requirements of a family
farm corporation under this Part.
3.
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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 or 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 or tax due, no refund or carry-over shall
be allowed.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
Whenever the amount of tax due to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
pursuant to 72 P.S. § 8101-C et seq., upon final determination,
redetermination or review by the Department of Revenue, is less than
the amount actually paid to the Commonwealth on account thereof, such
amount, including all interest or penalties thereon, shall be deemed
to be the amount due and payable to the Township pursuant to this
Part and shall be collectible by the Recorder of Deeds upon rerecording
as hereinafter provided. If the amount of such tax as finally determined
is more than the amount actually paid, then upon application to the
Township, together with proof of payment and final determination by
the Department of Revenue, the Township shall refund such portion
of the overpayment that the Township actually received. All applications
for refunds must be received by the Township within two years of the
date of payment for which a refund is requested.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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 cost 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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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 Township 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 Township.
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 tenth of each month, the Recorder shall pay over
to the Township all local realty transfer taxes collected, less 2%
for the 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 2% commission shall be
paid to the county.
4.
Upon a 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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
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.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987; as amended by Ord. 285, 2/22/1989; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
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.
3.
In addition to the penalties prescribed in Subsections 1 and 2 above, any person, partnership, or corporation who or which has violated or permitted the violation of the provisions of this Part, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township, shall pay a judgment of not more than $600 plus all court costs. No judgment shall commence or be imposed, levied or payable until the date of the determination of a violation by a magisterial district judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure. Each day that a violation continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate violation.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
The tax imposed by this Part shall become a lien upon the lands,
tenements or hereditaments, or any interest therein, lying or being
situated, wholly or in part, within the boundaries of the Township,
which lands, tenements or hereditaments, or interest therein, are
described in or conveyed by or transferred by the deed which is the
subject of 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 Bucks County, in accordance
with the provisions of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act of 1923,
53 P.S. § 7101 et seq., and its supplements and amendments.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
All taxes imposed by this Part, together with the interest and
penalties prescribed herein, shall be recoverable as other debts of
like character are recovered.
[Ord. 245, 1/5/1987]
The Township Manager of the Township is charged with enforcement
and collection of tax and is empowered to promulgate and enforce reasonable
regulations for the 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., to the extent that they
are applicable, are incorporated into and made a part of this Part.
