Paying too much for your property taxes? Don’t miss the April 1st deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Allegheny County!
The assessed value of a property may be appealed annually and a well-prepared appeal could considerably reduce your property tax bill. Allegheny County currently uses a base year approach to calculate property values. In a base year approach, the county will set the assessment established upon the “base year” and allow for minimal increases year-to-year. The current base year used in Allegheny County is 2012.
All assessment appeals for this year must be filed by April 1, 2019. After your appeal is filed, the Office of Property Assessments in Allegheny County will schedule a hearing before the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review (BPAAR). At the scheduled hearing, the BPAAR will determine the value of your property for tax assessment.
Sebring & Associates can prepare your property assessment appeal and guide you through the process. We will represent you at your hearing and file all necessary documentation on your behalf. Please call our office if you would like to speak to an attorney about your property assessment.
This information is from the Allegheny County website. Does your property qualify for tax exemption? Don’t miss any upcoming deadlines to file your application for tax exemption status!”
One or more of these programs may apply to you, to help reduce or eliminate your property tax bill.
Act 50 (Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion)
County property owners with primary residences here are eligible to have the property assessment value of their home reduced by $18,000 for county tax purposes only.
Note: An application for Act 50 relief will also be considered a request for Act 1 (The Property Tax Relief Act) relief, if applicable.
Act 76 Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act (LERTA)
In some municipalities, commercial and industrial businesses in specific areas are eligible for tax abatements. Please contact the municipality in question to check participation and eligibility requirements.
Act 77 (Senior Citizen Tax Relief)
Residents who are at least 60 years old, have an annual income of $30,000 a year or less (counting just half of Social Security or Railroad Tier One benefits) and have lived in and owned their current Allegheny County residence for at least 10 years are eligible for a 30% reduction in their county tax bill.
Act 132 (Residential Visitability Design Tax Credit Program)
This program offers a tax credit as an incentive for new construction or renovation that provides access for disabled individuals into residential housing. The total amount of the tax credit granted shall be the lesser of $2500 (over a period of 5 years) or the total amount of all increases in property taxes levied by Allegheny County as a result of the construction/renovation eligible for the tax credit.
Act 156-PA (Clean and Green Program)
Land in agriculture use, in agricultural reserve, and in forest reserve in Allegheny County is eligible to be assessed at the value it has for that use instead of at base year value.
Property owners who have suffered damage to a structure due to a fire or other natural disaster resulting in 50% or more diminished property value may qualify for a reduction in their property assessment.
Tax Exemptions (for Nonprofit Organizations and Governmental Entities)
Exemptions from real property taxation are authorized by state law for: Churches, Burial Grounds, Hospitals, Educational Institutions, Fire Stations, Courthouses, Jails, some Disabled Veterans, Public Parks for public use, and other public property used for public purpose.
- Tax Exempt Status Challenge– Taxing authorities may challenge the tax exempt status of properties in their jurisdiction.
- PURTA (Public Utility Realty Tax Act) – This tax exemption program is for properties owned by public utility companies with current usage for utilities, such as railroads. Review State PURTA for additional information
Sebring & Associates can prepare your property assessment appeal and guide you through the process. We will represent you at your hearing and file all necessary documentation on your behalf. Please call our office if you would like to speak to an attorney about your property assessment.
DISCLAIMER:
The individuals who provide information for this site work at Sebring & Associates, Attorneys at Law. Any information herein does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship has been or will be formed by any communication(s) to, from, or as a result of reading this. For legal advice, contact an attorney at Sebring & Associates or an attorney actively practicing in your jurisdiction. Do not send any confidential or privileged information to the writer, as Sebring & Associates assumes no liability or responsibility for it.
The attorneys at Sebring & Associates are familiar with consumer protection laws. If you have a question, please contact us for a consultation.
