Tax Assessment Appeals

The implied market value set by the Board of Assessment Appeals was $18,068,899 for the tax year 2014 and $19,031,818 for the tax year 2015. On appeal to the Court of Common Pleas the School District’s appraiser argued that the market value should be $12,463,000. Petitioner’s appraiser argued that the market value should be$ 4,350,000. The Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County entered an Opinion and Order setting the market value at $8,105,832. This obtained a reduction in assessment from $6,071,150 to $2,723,560 for 2014 and $2,512,808 for 2015. This resulted in a tax savings for our client of$199,986.36 for 2014 and $186,871.54 for 2015.

Reduction in assessed value from $65,000,000 to $23,000,000. Annual Tax Savings of $667,864.00.

The parties stipulated to a reduction in tax assessment from $21,215,900 to 9,800,000 for 2018 and 9,650,000 for 2019. This resulted in tax savings of approximately $280,000 per year.

The School District’s expert argued an opinion of value of $34,000,000. The Court found the Petitioner’s experts more credible. The Court Ordered that the fair market value be reduced to $27,300,000. This changed the assessment from $16,310,000 to $13,048,000 in 2013 and $13,540,800 in 2014 and subsequent years. This resulted in a tax savings of approximately $65,000 per year.

The School District’s expert argued an opinion of value of $24,750,000. The Court found the Petitioner’s experts more credible. The Court Ordered that the fair market value be reduced to $18,650,000. This changed the assessment from $13,980,000 to $9,506,400 in 2013 and $9,250,400 in 2014 and subsequent years. This resulted in a tax savings of approximately $45,000 per year.

The Fayette County Board of Assessment Appeals issued an assessment change notice to Duke Energy which revised the assessment of their property from $1,800,000 to $35,181,260. The trial court ruled in favor of the Board. Upon appeal, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court reversed the decision of the trial court and decided that the assessment was a spot assessment. The School District then filed a reverse appeal nunc pro tune for the tax years 2011 through 2016. Ultimately, the parties stipulated to an assessment of $14,000,000. This resulted in refunds due to Duke Energy in excess of $1.6 million and a savings of approximately $400,000 per year.