The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly affect values of commercial real estate properties in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Many properties have lost or will lose tenants. Others will see sizable income reductions. A property assessment appeal may be an avenue of financial relief. An assessment strategy created in 2020 will go a long way in preparing for a 2021 assessment appeal. Most counties in Pennsylvania require appeals for 2021 to be filed this summer with hearings on those appeals scheduled in the fall.
The Pennsylvania-based attorneys in Reed Smith’s Real Estate Practice Group are available to evaluate your property for a possible appeal and assist with the filing and prosecution of tax appeals.
The Pennsylvania tax appeal deadlines for the 2021 tax year are as follows:
August 1: Adams, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Clarion, Dauphin, Delaware*, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Westmoreland and York counties.
August 15: Berks County.
August 31: Wyoming County.
September 1: Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Bradford, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Juniata, Lebanon, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington and Wayne counties.
*Delaware County Reassessment: Delaware County reassessed for tax year 2021. The informal appeal process has taken place, but there is still time to file a formal appeal by August 1, 2020. Additional information regarding the reassessment can be found in our previous client alert.
Our Reed Smith Coronavirus team includes multidisciplinary lawyers from Asia, EME and the United States who stand ready to advise you on the issues above or others you may face related to COVID-19.
For more information on the legal and business implications of COVID-19, visit the Reed Smith Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center or contact us at COVID-19@reedsmith.com
Client Alert 2020-416