Property Tax Lawyers in Philadelphia
The law of Philadelphia, 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 adhered to the land, like trees and natural resources.
Property taxes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are measured as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (usually yearly) intervals.
Typically, the federal government does not collect property taxes anywhere in the U.S. Property taxes are collected almost exclusively by state and local authorities.
How Property Tax is Calculated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Property tax in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania almost always takes the form of a tax levied on the appraised value of the property in question. Property tax rates in the U.S. range from 0.2% to around 5% of the property's value.
To collect the property tax in a fair and consistent manner, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.
Value, in some ways, is not an objective thing. For example, your childhood home is probably worth much more to you than its simple market value. However, the tax authorities use only objective factors in calculating a home's taxable value.
With that in mind, the land appraisers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania look at several factors, including the state of the local real estate market, the square footage of the house, and the permissible use (zoning) of the land.
How A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's property tax system is somewhat intricate. Legal disputes arising from property taxes can arise in a number of ways. For instance, the state might accuse a homeowner of failing to pay their property taxes, when they truly have. Conversely, a homeowner might believe that the value of their property was appraised inaccurately, resulting in a higher tax bill.
If one of these concerns affects you and your property in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you should make every effort to properly handle it. This can prevent small issues from growing into large ones. The best way to do this is to seek the advice of a knowledgeable Philadelphia, Pennsylvania tax attorney who specializes in property tax law.