Property Reassessment

September 18, 2008

Reassess batch to be mailed

More than 3,000 revised assessment notices have gone to the printer.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Luzerne County’s reassessment company has sent 3,191 revised assessment notices to the printer to be mailed on Friday.

The batch includes changes stemming from deeded acreage adjustments, new construction, additional research and tips from property owners, said Tim Barr of 21st Century Appraisals Inc.

These property owners will have 40 days to file formal appeals and until Oct. 3 to request informal reviews, Barr said.

Also in the works is another mailing of 15,000 assessment changes stemming from informal reviews, Barr said. He didn’t want to announce a date for that mailing, though officials are aiming for next week.

The county Board of Assessment Appeals must approve the 15,000 changes before they are mailed, he said.

The mailing will cover all adjustments made during informal reviews, regardless of whether they were accepted or rejected by property owners. These property owners won’t receive a new chance to file formal appeals, but they may still continue with already scheduled formal appeals, Barr said.

Property owners who had already filed formal appeals don’t have to file again because of the mailing, he said. The 15,000 values will remain in effect unless appeal boards grant reductions in formal appeals.

If the appeals board rejects an assessment change that had been recommended by 21st Century during an informal review, the property owner will receive written notice and the opportunity to file a formal appeal, he said.

Barr said most of the 15,000 changes are assessment reductions, but some increases will also be in the mix. He is working on a breakdown.

He stressed that reductions were anticipated and would have to amount to more than $4 billion countywide to jeopardize the accuracy of the future property tax estimates included on assessment notices. Barr does not expect reductions to come close to $4 billion.

Barr said some property owners are misleading the public by implying that reductions granted through informal reviews and formal appeals will make the tax estimates inaccurate.

The 3,191 changes should be loaded onto 21st Century’s online database ( www.courthouseonline.com) this weekend, Barr said. Company officials have advised that tips about missed properties and other enhancements will continue to be processed, so property owners should not presume that changes won’t be made if they don’t immediately see them on the database.

Barr said appeals on new assessment notices don’t have to be heard by Oct. 31 because they are revisions. He said the law allows revisions and adjustments until tax bills are issued on the new values early next year.

To learn more …

Property owners should call the reassessment company with any questions about the new notices. The reassessment company may be reached at 1-877-570-8801 or 1-877-570-8802.

County officials also remind property owners to call the number if they want to withdraw formal assessment appeals.

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