How to Appeal Your Property Taxes in Philadelphia (and beyond)!

If you’ve just received your property tax bill for the upcoming year and it’s higher than you expected, don’t worry. You can appeal your property taxes! 

Let's walk through the process of appealing your property taxes, step by step.

1. Check your assessment notice

First things first, take a good look at your assessment notice. This document shows how much your local county thinks your property is worth. If you think they've overvalued your home, it's time to consider an appeal.

2. Do your homework

Before you jump into the appeal process, do some digging:

• Look up recent sale prices of similar homes in your area. You can do this easily on our website or reach out to us directly for comparables (comps).
• Check if there are any mistakes in your property's description (like date built, an extra bathroom or a finished basement that you don't actually have, square footage, etc.). If there is, then you have a good case for appealing the newly estimated property tax. 
• Consider getting an independent appraisal to compare with the city’s/township’s. If you want to go this route, reach out to us and we’ll provide our contact.

It’s important to note that since property tax assessment appeals provide more information than your county has, there’s always a chance that your property is reassessed at an even higher value. If that happens, you’ll need to pay more in property taxes than you do, which is why it’s important to weigh all the information first.

3. File your first level review or appeal

If you wish to proceed, the next step is to file your appeal. This may sound overwhelming, but we promise it’s as straightforward as it can be. To file your appeal with your county's Board of Assessment Appeals, you should:

• Fill out the form you received in the mail to file a First Level Review of your property valuation
• OR 
• Go to the PA Department of Revenue’s website.
• Find your county's appeal form 
• Gather evidence to support your claim (comps, a rececnt appraisal, etc.)
• Fill it out completely 
• Submit everything before the deadline (which is usually September or October of the respective year). Note that this may require a small fee

4. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your first review, file a second appeal

Once you file your second appeal, the board will schedule a hearing. To get ready, make sure you have all your documents organized, practice a brief statement about why you think your assessment is too high, and have multiple copies of everything just in case you need to share them with others. You may hire an attorney to represent you on your behalf. We personally love Nochumson P.C.

Once you’re there, present your case and answer any questions the board may have for you. 

The board will make a decision within a few weeks, so all that’s left to do is wait! 

Good luck, and may the property tax gods be ever in your favor!

Remember, while this process is similar across Pennsylvania, some details might vary by county. Always check with your local assessment office for the most up-to-date information.

If you have any questions about appealing your property taxes, feel free to reach out at brittany@nettlesandco.com.