Property / Tax Appeals
Contest property tax assessments, real estate valuations, and assessment errors across all US states. Save money with a professional property tax appeal letter.
Create your property / tax appeals dispute letter
Fill in your details and download a ready-to-send petition for .
What is a property tax appeal?
A property tax appeal is a formal challenge to the assessed value of your property as determined by your local tax assessor. If your property is overassessed, you may be paying more in property taxes than you legally owe.
How to appeal your property tax assessment
Property tax appeal deadlines are strict and vary by state — typically between 30 and 90 days from when you receive your assessment notice. In many states, the deadline is May 15 or within 30 days of the assessment notice. Missing this deadline usually means waiting until next year.
Grounds for a property tax appeal
-
1
The assessed value is higher than your property’s actual market value
-
2
Errors in property description (wrong size, number of bedrooms, lot size)
-
3
Comparable properties in your area are assessed at lower values
-
4
Recent damage or deterioration not reflected in the assessment
-
5
Incorrect exemptions not applied (senior, veteran, homestead)
Property / Tax Appeals in Pennsylvania
Disputing property tax assessments or other tax-related decisions in Pennsylvania can be a critical step to ensure fair taxation. Issues often include overvalued property assessments, incorrect exemptions, or errors in tax calculations. In Pennsylvania, property owners and taxpayers have specific legal rights and a structured appeals process to challenge these decisions, ensuring that your tax burden is equitable and based on accurate valuations.
Property tax appeals in Pennsylvania are primarily governed by Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) and Title 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Key legislation includes the General County Assessment Law (72 P.S. § 5020-518.1), which outlines the process for appealing assessments to the court. Property owners have the right to appeal their assessments if they believe the assessed value exceeds the fair market value. For instance, taxpayers typically have 30 days from the notice of an assessment decision to file an appeal with their county's Board of Assessment Appeals. Recent changes, such as those impacting the common level ratio (CLR) used in assessment appeals, continue to refine the process, ensuring uniformity and fairness in property valuations across Pennsylvania.
If you need to appeal a property or tax decision in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (DOR) is a key state agency. For state tax appeals, you can file a petition with the Board of Appeals through their Online Petition Center at https://www.eservices.revenue.pa.gov/FileAnAppeal/. For property tax assessments, appeals are typically filed with your county's Board of Assessment Appeals (e.g., Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals). The DOR also provides a general helpline for tax-related inquiries. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office can offer guidance on broader consumer protection issues, but specific tax appeals fall under the purview of the DOR and county assessment boards.
Appealing a property or tax decision in Pennsylvania generally involves four steps: reviewing the assessment or decision notice, gathering evidence to support your claim (e.g., comparable sales, appraisals), filing a formal appeal with the appropriate board within the specified timeframe, and attending any scheduled hearings. Most property tax appeals are resolved within 60 to 120 days, depending on the county and the complexity of the case. Always maintain meticulous records of all documents, communications, and deadlines. Use the petition generator above to create a formal appeal letter in under two minutes, asserting your rights in Pennsylvania.