PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time in two years, Philadelphia property owners are receiving new assessments for next year’s taxes. Most will see increases in their home’s value and, as a result, how much they will owe.
The city says property values have risen in most places. It expects the new assessments will add nearly $100 to tax bills for median-value homes.
Chief Assessment Officer James Aros said external reviews show the city has made steady improvements in its valuation process.
“Our mission as a department is making sure assessments are fair, equitable and accurate across the city,” Aros said.
But councilmember Jamie Gauthier is skeptical.
“There’s been no proof shown that the city has gotten better at doing assessments that match the actual market or rooting out the proven racial bias in the assessments,” Gauthier said.
Councilman Curtis Jones views reassessments as covert tax increases.
“Instead of adjusting the millage rate, they go block by block and say this house is worth more because of a formula that Albert Einstein could not figure out. I’d rather have an honest conversation about millage than an awkward assessment that people complain about.”
The city said it looks at size, location, age and condition, and stresses that there are half a dozen programs that can blunt the effects of assessment increases, including the Homestead Exemption, senior tax freeze, Longtime Owner Occupant Program, installment plans and the military reserve tax credit. Homeowners can apply for all of them in a single application online. They can also challenge the new assessment with a first-level review to the Office of Property Assessment or an appeal to the Board of Revision of Taxes.
The first step is to ask the Office of Property Assessment for a first-level review. The form for that comes with the new assessment. The deadline is Sept. 1. To kick it up a notch, homeowners can appeal to the Board of Revision of Taxes.
The last reassessment, in 2024, drew thousands of challenges. That’s one reason the city didn’t do reassessments last year.
