Minority Businesses and Business Events in Pittsburgh

“Property Assessments in Allegheny County”

In 2007, Allegheny County taxpayers challenged the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s base rate property valuation system in Clifton v. Allegheny County, 969 A.2d 1197 (Pa. 2009).  In turn, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered Allegheny County to reassess all properties for the first time since 2002.

While tax payers hoped that the court-ordered reassessments would offer a solution for property owners paying more than their fair share of taxes; numerous mistakes in the reassessment process – some might say deliberate acts – have caused quite an uproar.  While county executives focus on remedying a broken tax system, property owners want to know, what happens next?

The Appeals Process:  Property owners may appeal both their annual assessment and their court-ordered reassessment, which is slated to take affect in 2013.

Appealing the Annual Assessment:

When appealing the annual assessment, property owners must file the Annual Assessment Appeal Form by April 2, 2012 to proceed through the formal appeals process. 

Appealing the Court-Ordered Reassessment:

Residents that wish to challenge the court-ordered reassessment are offered both an informal and formal appeals option.  The informal appeal must be filed by March 16, 2012 and in many ways, provides a more streamlined and less intimidating approach to the appeals Process.  Hearings proceed and results are received in an expedited fashion.  In addition, taxing entities do not attend the informal hearings. 

The formal appeals process provides the property owner the opportunity to present evidence that may support a lower assessment value to a hearing officer in the company of representatives and attorneys from the school district and municipality.  Representatives and attorneys will present their own evidence and may ask questions of the property owner concerning the property at issue and the information presented.

Getting Prepared:  In preparation, it is important to ensure that the property data – number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, etc. – on the Allegheny County Property Assessment website is correct.  Accordingly, owners should gather evidence of any inconspicuous damage to the home, which may reduce the home’s assessed value.  Finally, it is important to review the comparable properties in the area to determine if your property was similarly assessed.

Jenyce M. Woodruff is a Business Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA and may be contacted for free residential and commercial appeals advice at 412.449.9052 or jmwoodruff@woodrufflawllc.com.  Also visit her website www.woodrufflawllc.com.

The above article is general legal information and should not be construed as specific legal advice.  As properties are different, it is important to seek legal advice concerning your specific legal matter.

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