It’s tax time. W2 forms are in the mail, workers dressed as the Statue of Liberty are standing in front of tax preparation offices, and Americans everywhere are thinking about April 15.
But as Bucks County property tax attorneys, we’re here to talk about another tax-related deadline: August 1. That’s the last day for Bucks County property owners to appeal their property tax assessment.
Pennsylvania property taxes are based on two factors: the value of your home/commercial property as determined by your county assessment office, and the local property tax rates, which are set by your county, school district and municipality.
The assessed value is a percentage of what your home/property would sell for. To decide what you would owe, government bodies multiply the assessed value by the tax rate. So if you live in a home with an assessed value of $200,000 and the tax rate is $10 for every $1,000 of taxable value, you’ll pay a $2,000 bill.
You can’t change the tax rate where you live – unless you run for office – but you can appeal your assessment. And while that’s something you can do on your own, it’s a job that’s best left to a Bucks County property tax attorney. Here’s why:
Time isn’t on your side
If you want to dispute your property tax assessment in Bucks County, you need to make your case to the county’s Board of Assessment, which meets twice a month. As we said above, there’s a deadline for filing an appeal. Most people don’t have the time it takes to prepare an appeal. But a Bucks County property tax attorney? That’s their job.
It’s complicated
Property tax law is complicated, and every appeal is different. With a Bucks County property tax attorney at your side, you’ll be working with someone who has a detailed grasp of the system. There are a lot of rules involved with filing an appeal, and an attorney can help you navigate them.
It’s stressful
We hate to trot out the old cliché about how the person who representing themselves has a fool for a client, but it’s true. It would be true in a major court case, and in front of an appeals board.
If you feel you’re being unfairly taxed, you might be emotional. Don’t let stress cloud your judgement. A Bucks County property tax attorney can handle your case with cool, impartial professionalism.
You may not know the system
Going to court can be overwhelming, even if it’s just an appearance before the assessment board. But a Bucks County property tax attorney knows the system and its players. And if things don’t go your way before the board, a professional tax attorney can take your case to the county or even state level.
If you need an attorney to help you appeal your Bucks County property tax assessment, contact the firm of Benner & Wild. We’ve spent more than 30 years practicing real estate law, and have argued residential, commercial and industrial assessment cases at the county and state level.
From the average homeowner to the billionaire businessman, everyone needs to pay taxes. But with our help, you can make one part of paying them a little less painful.