Making the most of property assessors offices in Pennsylvania will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

Pennsylvania property assessors offices use several factors such as location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the Pennsylvania county assessors office uses to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor also will be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get a professional appraisal so you may compare it to the property value by the Pennsylvania assessor.
3. Appeal the assessor’s valuation of your property if needed. Pennsylvania assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.
   

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Learn more about the laws regarding Pennsylvania property tax records

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has information on the property tax rebate program. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website discusses options that communities in Pennsylvania have for reducing property taxes.

Find out how professional PA assessors determine property values

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Accu-Fast Appraisals describes three approaches to the appraisal process. David Hesidenz Appraisals provides a FAQ on the company's property appraisals.

Learn how your county performs a Pennsylvania property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The Carbon County Tax Assessor has a FAQ on property taxes and a table showing the current tax rates. Lancaster County has information on property taxes including the criteria for requesting a property tax exemption.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your Pennsylvania property assessor to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

An assessor of property in Pennsylvania is responsible for estimating a property's value. This figure will then be used to determine the amount of property tax due on the property. Additionally, Pennsylvania assessors must maintain records of real estate sales and continually reappraise properties so as to reflect fair market value.

If you are a Pennsylvania property owner interested in property values, you need to contact your county's assessor of property in Pennsylvania. You may also find additional services and resources available, including assessors maps, property ownership information and taxation information. Property assessments are open to the public. You may want to view property assessment records for the following reasons:

1. You can confirm the price brackets of properties in a certain location where you're interested in buying.

2. Find out how much your property is valued at if you're interested in selling or refinancing.

3. Determine the amount of Pennsylvania property tax owed on a property through Pennsylvania property assessors offices.

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Take advantage of PA assessors offices that maintain online databases

Many counties in Pennsylvania maintain an online presence, and a percentage of those also provide searchable property records for the public. This way, you can avoid constant trips to the office every time you need information on a property. If your county assessor's office does not provide public records online, try other websites. You may have to subscribe for this information; but if real estate is your business, it will be worth the small fee.

I recommend: Assessors Links USA offers a list of Pennsylvania county assessors and links to their websites. The Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board provides a county assessment information tool that let's you look up a county assessor's contact information. This site also has a feature that lets you review market value certifications. Intelius provides a variety of informational reports that include Pennsylvania property tax records, home values, ownership information and sales history.

Consider the PA property tax assessment appeals process if you have concerns

You may receive a Pennsylvania property tax assessment you disagree with. When this is the case, you can appeal to your county's assessment office.

I recommend: You can download the forms you need to start the appeals process in Pennsylvania from the Board of Appeals Online Petition Center on the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's website. Bankrate is an online real estate resource that offers a variety of property tax tools.

Hire an independent appraiser for a second opinion on your Pennsylvania property value assessment

Before you appeal the results of your Pennsylvania property assessment, you may consider getting a second opinion. This is when an independent appraiser comes into the picture. An appraiser would not only reevaluate your property, he will also provide you with the necessary paperwork you need to submit to your assessor's office in the event you decide to pursue an appeal.

I recommend: The Roegner Appraisal Group, Inc. offers commercial appraisals for Northeastern Pennsylvania. American Business Appraisers has valued billions of dollars worth of property. For more Pennsylvania appraisers, try the directory at AppraiserUSA.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are sometimes tax exemptions available for certain properties or organizations; non-profits, for instance. Check with your Pennsylvania property assessor to see whether you for a tax exemption.

Property assessors offices in Pennsylvania education and training will teach you how to appraise personal and real and personal property in order to estimate its fair market value. Property assessors may also use Pennsylvania property tax records to determine property taxes.

The requirements needed to work in a PA assessors office are complex and vary by the type and value of the property being appraised. Generally, these requirements may be grouped in the following categories:

1. Education. While there are no formal degree requirements for property assessors in Pennsylvania, most practicing assessors have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. However, the specific courses that a property assessor needs are usually taken at a community college or professional assessor organization.

2. On-the-job training. This is required to obtain a license or certification and should be acquired in the office of an independent fee appraiser, if possible.

3. Licensure. Federal law requires that property appraisers have a state-issued license if they will be making PA property assessments requiring a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

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Complete the courses needed to work in Pennsylvania assessors offices

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Pennsylvania property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.

I recommend: The American Society of Appraisers provides qualifying education that has been approved by the Certified Real Estate Appraisers Board (CREAB) for appraisers in Pennsylvania. The Association of Realtors School offers online and classroom programs that are approved for Pennsylvania appraisers.

Get on-the-job training for Pennsylvania property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Pennsylvania has specific requirements, as laid out by the CREAB. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.

I recommend: Chapter 36 of the Pennsylvania Code provides the provisions for real estate appraisers, including work experience requirements. The Pennsylvania Department of State offers detailed information on documenting work experience for appraisers.

Become a licensed Pennsylvania property assessor

Pennsylvania recognizes three categories of appraisers. A residential appraiser is able appraise residential property and a general appraiser is qualified to appraise all types of property. A broker/appraiser can only perform those appraisals that permitted for licensed real estate brokers.

I recommend: Bostedo Appraisal Services provides a summary of the steps needed for each type of appraiser in Pennsylvania. The Realtors Educational Institute provides a detailed description of the licensing process for appraisers in Pennsylvania.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pennsylvania property assessors may choose to become a member of a national or regional assessor association. Full membership in a professional organization usually requires significantly more education and experience than the minimum licensing requirements of the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB). Many of these associations also offer a membership category specifically for trainees.

Pennsylvania property assessors offices laws and regulations deal with the property taxes that derive from the estimated value of real property. Property assessors in the United States routinely assess property according to the fair market standard, although there are other standards, such as the distressed value and the foreclosure value. All federally regulated institutions must perform property appraisals with a licensed appraiser and Pennsylvania generally requires licensed appraisers for all appraisals. Pennsylvania property laws also specify the conditions under which a property owner may qualify for a homestead exemption or other property tax exemption.

You can find Pennsylvania property assessor laws in a variety of locations. These sources may be classified according to the types of laws they cover and include the three following categories:

1. The Pennsylvania state government. These sources provide laws and other information on PA assessors that apply to the entire state.
2. County and municipal governments in Pennsylvania. Each jurisdiction has its own procedures for implementing laws on property assessments.
3. Law firms that practice property law. Law firms in Pennsylvania frequently offer information for resolving disputes on property taxes.
   

Action Steps
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Examine the laws that control a Pennsylvania property tax assessment

The state government of Pennsylvania will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in Pennsylvania.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors offers an analysis of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006, which relates to property assessments in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania summarizes the current property tax rebate law for Pennsylvania.

Study the procedures for accessing PA property assessments in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a Pennsylvania property tax search. A complete list of Pennsylvania property tax records may also be available.

I recommend: Allegheny County provides its procedures for conducting property assessment in that county. County of Berks offers a FAQ with county-specific property assessment regulations.

Review laws on property assessors in Pennsylvania from law firms

Pennsylvania lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on property assessments and property taxes in Pennsylvania. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in Pennsylvania.

I recommend: Jane Roach Maughan practices real estate law and provides specific information on property assessment law in Pennsylvania. The Law Offices of Michael Kuldliner handles property assessment appeals and provides information on property tax law in Pennsylvania.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The quality of Pennsylvania property assessment is controlled by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was developed in the 1980s in response to the savings and loan crisis that was occurring in the United States at that time. The Appraiser Foundation (TAF) is the current administrator of the USPAP.