Many property owners initiate residential property tax appeals because their property taxes are too high. Property taxes can total thousands of dollars per year. If your assessment is too high and you are paying too much in property taxes, this could mean spending a small fortune over the course of your life. You owe it to yourself- and to your pocketbook- to make sure that you take all necessary steps to appeal when you believe property taxes are unfair. 

A residential property tax appeal can be a complicated process and you need to make sure that you meet the required deadlines and that you provide the necessary information to maximize the chances that your appeal will be a successful one.  You should strongly consider getting professional help to guide you through the appeals process, as you do not want to miss out on the chance of achieving significant savings on your property taxes year after year.

Curley & Rothman, LLC has helped many clients in their fight to reduce property taxes. We understand the steps of residential property tax appeals and our legal team will guide you through each phase of the appeals process. To learn more about how we can help you to make your home more affordable by fighting to lower your property taxes, give us a call today.

Steps to Residential Property Tax Appeals

The Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals explains the appeals process and the steps to residential property tax appeals. According to the Board of Assessments, appeals have to be filed by August first preceding the year in which the taxes are being appealed. If there is a change in assessment, an interim appeal can be filed within 40 days from the notice of the assessment change.  Appeals have to be either postmarked or hand-delivered on or before the deadline, and will not be accepted via fax.

Appeals have to be made in writing, and the written appeal has to provide details on the assessment which is being appealed. The details must include the location of the property which is the subject of the assessment appeal and must also include the parcel number.  The written appeal should also include the name and address where the Board of Assessment Appeals can mail notice of the time and place of the appeals hearing.  There are forms which may be obtained and completed to appeal, and those forms can be obtained by either picking them up from the Board of Assessment appeals or by calling the Board office.

When an appeal is submitted, it has to contain the property owner's original signature or must contain an original signature from a licensed attorney providing assistance with residential property tax appeals. The lawyer has to be licensed to practice in PA. If the person who is appealing is not the property's owner but still has standing to appeal, he or she must sign the form and must explain the interest that he has in the property. He may need to provide proof of standing to appeal, at the discretion of the board.

Once an appeal has been filed, the property owner and/or his attorney will receive notice of a hearing date. The notice of the hearing will be provided at least 20 days prior to the time when the hearing is scheduled.  If there is a change in address before notice is sent, the person appealing and/or his attorney have to advise the board if there is any change in where the notice should be sent to.

When the appealing property owner comes to the hearing, it is the property owner's burden of proof to show the assessment is not correct. A property owner who is appealing should be prepared to present evidence such as an appraisal, proof of sale prices of comparable houses, and/or testimony from a competent witness regarding the fair market value of the property that is being appraised. If the property is an income producing property, income and expense statements for the prior three years should be provided.