Property Tax Lawyers in Berks County

The law of Berks County, Pennsylvania says that everyone who owns real property has to pay taxes on it. The term "real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything attached to the land, like trees and natural resources.

The property tax in Berks County, Pennsylvania is simply a percentage of a piece of property's appraised value, paid to the state and/or local government on a periodic - normally annual - basis.

Federal authorities do not collect a property tax. Only state and local governments collect property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Berks County, Pennsylvania

Berks County, Pennsylvania property taxes are normally calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates vary widely across the country, normally ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.

In order to levy this tax, the tax authorities in Berks County, Pennsylvania must have an uniform formula for figuring out the value of a given piece of property.

In many ways, the value of a piece of land is relative. After all, many people ascribe sentimental value to their homes, which goes well beyond its market value. To ensure that the system is fair, the government uses only objective standards to determine value.

There are many different ways to value property using objective factors. Typically, the appraiser in Berks County, Pennsylvania will consider the current state of the real estate market, the size of the property, any improvements (buildings, roads, etc.) that have been made on the property, and the manner in which the property may be legally used (zoning).

How A Berks County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Property tax law in Berks County, Pennsylvania is not always simple. Legal disagreements about property taxes can arise from almost any situation. For instance, you might have reason to suspect that the taxable value of your home was overestimated, creating a bigger property tax bill. And, the government might claim that you have underpaid your property taxes, while you think that you have paid the correct amount.

If you encounter a legal issue with your Berks County, Pennsylvania property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the assistance of a qualified tax attorney in Berks County, Pennsylvania, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.