Property Tax Lawyers in Pittsburgh
The law of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania says that everybody who owns real property has to pay taxes on it. The term "real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything affixed to the land, like trees and natural resources.
Property taxes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are determined as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (typically yearly) intervals.
Normally, the federal government does not collect property taxes anywhere in the U.S. Property taxes are gathered almost always by state and local authorities.
How Property Tax is Calculated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Most often, property taxes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of various tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.
In order to impose this tax, the government of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania initially has to decide the taxable value of a piece of property.
Value is subjective in many respects. The home that you grew up in is likely worth more to you than its going market rate. Therefore, to ensure that property taxes are fair and uniform, tax collectors have to use purely objective factors when appraising property.
To that end, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania employees in charge of appraising land look at objective facts to determine value, like the size of the land and any buildings on it, the way in which the land may legally be utilized (zoning), and the health of the local real estate market.
How A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, property taxes can become pretty intricate. Legal disagreements can arise in the property tax context, even if there is no wrongdoing, and the dispute arises from an honest misunderstanding. You might have a good reason to suspect that a mistake was made when your property was appraised, resulting in a higher tax bill than you believe you legally owe, for instance.
If you encounter a legal issue with your Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the guidance of a qualified tax attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.