How to Appeal Your Philadelphia Property Tax Assessment
When an over-assessment is worth challenging — and how the appeal process works.
Can you appeal a Philadelphia property tax assessment?
Yes. If the City's Office of Property Assessment values your property higher than it is actually worth, you can appeal to have the assessed value — and therefore your tax bill — reduced. Appeals are common after a citywide reassessment or when a commercial property's assessment does not match its income or sale price.
How the appeal process works
The process generally runs in 2 tracks: an informal First Level Review, and a formal appeal to the Board of Revision of Taxes. You present evidence of the property's true market value — comparable sales, an appraisal, or income data for an income property — and the Board of Revision of Taxes decides whether to lower the assessment. There is a firm annual deadline to file.
Is an appeal worth it?
An appeal makes the most sense when the gap between the assessed value and the real value is large enough that the tax savings clearly outweigh the cost and effort. For higher-value commercial and investment properties, a successful appeal can save a meaningful amount every year it holds. In one matter we handled, an owner saved almost $55,000 in real estate taxes.
How Nochumson P.C. helps
Nochumson P.C. represents owners and investors in Philadelphia property tax assessment appeals, building the valuation case and handling the hearing. Contact us to see whether your assessment is worth appealing.
Related articles:
- Philadelphia's 10-Year Property Tax Abatement, Explained
- Philadelphia Homestead Exemption: A Homeowner's Guide
- Philadelphia Use & Occupancy (U&O) Tax: What Owners Owe
- Philadelphia Real Estate Transfer Tax, Explained
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