Allegheny County Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review Building Empty Under Construction

Accept a hearing coming up for you property tax entreatment? You're not lonely, especially in Allegheny County where the holding cess arrangement is surely broken. Luckily, hither at Flaherty & Fardo, nosotros care about keeping your money in your pockets most as much equally you do. That's why we've outlined the elevation x mistakes made by holding owners in their belongings tax appeal: to proceed y'all from hurting your chances of winning your hearing and getting the assessment yous deserve.

#one – Property owner ignores appeal letters and notices and/or does non read them carefully.

Many property owners notwithstanding ignore entreatment notices and hearing dates on assessment appeals filed by the schoolhouse districts and other taxing entities. For 2010 and 2011, we are however under a 2002 base year system, and your recent purchase cost is non indicative of that value. All appeals filed by the taxing entities need to be dedicated vigorously.

Information technology is also very important to brand sure that yous read all appeal information carefully. Allegheny County is very misleading on the determination notices which are sent to property owners. All decisions from the appeal procedure currently country: "the determination of the board is concluding". That is not true and is very misleading. To the contrary, all cases at the Board of Property Assessment and Review can be appealed inside xxx days of the conclusion past any of the taxing entities or property owners. Read your notices carefully.

#2 – Belongings possessor appears in person at the hearing.

There tin can be a real risk to appearing in person at an Allegheny County belongings cess hearing, with or without representation. The reasons are uncomplicated. If the belongings possessor appears, they tin can be cross-examined, and their testimony can be used against them. The school loves to hear what improvements you lot take fabricated, and what appraisals may be in your possession. With a two tiered appeals process, the school district attorneys will oft inquire questions at the first hearing in grooming for the 2d hearing. Thus, it can be foolish to attend, and give the school chaser a complimentary opportunity to question you lot.

Likewise, the hearing officers and judges are non happy to come across you. Most property owners are overly emotional concerning their holding taxes, an tin can become volatile. Many of the decision makers can be more than comfortable dealing with professionals who empathize the process rather than angry property owners. Exist very humble if yous determine to attend.

#3 – Property owner focuses on comparing 'assessments', not 'sales prices'.

The primary argument of an assessment appeal should non exist comparing "assessments" of your neighbors. You need to argue comparable sales. Although it seems logical to look at assessments, the primary evidence should e'er be value in the market place. The lack of uniformity argument is relevant but usually not sufficient on its ain.

More than recently, a strong argument for property owners has been the opportunity to show that just certain homes have been appealed in an area. You lot can focus in certain defense cases, on showing that other recently sold properties are assessed at a fraction of their sales prices, and appropriately, why is the school merely trying to raise you. If y'all utilise this argument, make sure you compare the entire neighborhood.

#iv – Property possessor wants to contend price and foursquare footage

We have had some very intelligent property cess clients who have created magnificent spreadsheets analyzing specific neighborhoods price/sq. foot (building and/or state area). I understand and appreciate the argument, but it should never be the focus. It is too complicated, and there are also many other characteristics involved. In add-on, nearly of the hearing officers simply practise not similar it.

If the price/sq. pes statement helps you, then past all means mention it every bit ancillary evidence. Merely do non rely solely on that argument.

#5 – Property owner gets angry

Property taxes create stress. People are upset well-nigh property taxes, and some of these revenue enhancement increases are forcing residents to even sell their property. It is natural to be upset. Withal, anger at tax appeal hearings does not assistance reduce property taxes. Avoid getting frustrated with the process.

#6 – Belongings owner is not prissy enough

Niceness counts. For years, I have joked with friends and fifty-fifty advised property owners that niceness may reduce your property taxes. Unfortunately, it is true. Who would take ever thought that mood or personality would affect your property taxes, only it absolutely does. I have witnessed nice belongings owners get better decisions than property owners who were angry.

#seven – Belongings owner makes it too complicated

Kiss: Keep it simple stupid! Less can be more. Each instance is truly unique, and depending upon the solicitor or schoolhouse district involved, it can be best to simply focus on your strongest valuation method (i.e your best 3 comparable sales). The other information is relevant, merely should be succinct when presented. An efficient organized case typically increases your odds in the entreatment. I like to show the iii best comparable sales; a spreadsheet of the street sales and ratios of assessments on that street; and finally a simple spreadsheet on uniformity in the surface area. If you are organized, a good instance tin be presented and won in minutes.

#viii – Property owner loses at BPAR, and does not appeal to the BOV

In that location is the get-go level BPAR (Board Property Cess & Review), and the 2nd level, BOV (Board Of Viewers). If you are unsuccessful at the BPAR, you have 30 days to entreatment de novo (fresh or new) to the canton BOV. You showtime all over with a new process, new rules and oftentimes a greater opportunity for success. Exercise not waive your right to appeal to the BOV. This could be the #ane mistake property owners make, because as stated above, the BPAR decision falsely implies that the Determination is Final.

#9 – Property owner gets bullied by the Schoolhouse District

Some of the attorneys for the school districts may try to swell property owners into unfair settlements. Practice not be bullied. At the same time, you cannot make it personal with the chaser. Ofttimes, there may exist several attorneys, and a hearing chief who want the case to settle. Do non be pressured into an unfair settlement.

#ten – Belongings owner tries to stand for themselves

For all of the reasons above, the biggest single mistake property owners in Allegheny County make regarding their assessment appeals is they endeavor to represent themselves. There is besides much money at stake, unremarkably for multiple years, not to apply a competent attorney. Representation in these matters is affordable and the toll is usually well worth the savings in property taxes. Remember, as a rule of pollex, 10K in assessments is usually about $300 in total property taxes.

If yous have questions about a property tax entreatment in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, please contact Flaherty & Fardo for a free consultation. We're happy to help you accept the steps in your holding tax appeal to get the assessment value you deserve.

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Source: https://www.pghfirm.com/blog/top-10-mistakes-made-by-property-owners-in-allegheny-property-tax-appeals

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