|
For Immediate
Release
1/15/08
Contact:
Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
Rhoades to Introduce
Legislation Limiting Local Government Assessment Appeals
 
HARRISBURG – Acting today to close a legal loophole that
has resulted in property tax increases for many Pennsylvania
homeowners, Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) introduced
legislation to limit when a local government can reassess
property.
Currently, Pennsylvania’s Real Estate Assessment Law
precludes a taxing body from appealing a property’s assessed
value following a purchase. However, when the purchase
price of a property is dramatically different than its
assessed value, a local government can argue to increase the
assessed value of the property, which translates to a
property tax increase for the homeowner.
“The reassessment process can be costly for taxpayers who
have already been hit hard by rising property taxes over the
last decade,” Rhoades said. “We need to ensure that any
property tax increases after reassessment are based on
actual improvements on the property, not just the sale
value.”
Under current law, local governments can appeal a
property’s assessed value following a countywide
reassessment. The measure would limit local taxing
districts to appeal an assessment only if a property is
subdivided or when improvements are added or removed.
Rhoades’ legislation would apply to counties of the
Fourth through Eighth class, including all counties with
populations under 210,000. Fifty-one of the state’s 67
counties would be covered under the bill.
“Since I came to office 27 years ago, the General
Assembly has been looking for ways to significantly reduce
property taxes to homeowners. We have passed a number of
bills in order to achieve property tax relief. However, it
seems time and time again, someone finds a loophole to
increase them anyway.”
“Whether we call it an appeal, an assessment or anything
else, this loophole results in property tax increases, and
we should close it – today.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo available at
www.senatorrhoades.com
Additional Information:
Tax Relief
 Print this page
E-mail
this page
Back |
