Frequently Asked Questions
Assessments
What is the Base Year?
The Base Year is the last County-wide reassessment, which in Allegheny County was 2002. All values represent the estimated base year market value of the property as of January 1, 2002, unless otherwise updated due to permits, appeals, corrections, flood loss or catastrophic loss. Base year methodology allows similar homes to have similar assessments until the next County-wide reassessment.
How did the Office of Property Assessments (OPA) arrive at my current property assessment value?
OPA assessors use a computer assisted mass appraisal system (CAMA) to help generate property assessment values. They determine value primarily by comparison with sales from 1999, 2000 and 2001 on properties with similar characteristics within your defined neighborhood. For increased accuracy, the system also takes into account the variations that exist within Allegheny County’s unique neighborhoods. Additionally, our assessors travel throughout the county to collect property data and review assessment valuations.
How do I know if my current property assessment value is correct?
The best way to ensure that your value is correct is to make sure that OPA has correct information regarding the data and characteristics of the property that you own. To obtain this information, check with the OPA Public Information Office in Room 303 of the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, or online at the Real Estate Web site. Sale prices of similar properties in your area from 1999, 2000 and 2001 are a good indicator of your current assessment.
Are there ways to reduce my tax bill? How do I know if I am eligible?
The County has several abatements and exemptions that may reduce your county tax bill. Visit the Abatements and Exemptions section of this website. The county has no jurisdiction over school and municipal taxing authorities. For concerns regarding school and municipal taxes, contact your local officials.
Appeals
Annual Appeals
Where may I get an annual appeal form?
The annual Assessment Appeal Form is available:
How do I know my Assessment Appeal form was received?
Contact the Office of Property Assessments Public Information Line at 412-350-4600 or you can check your property Real Estate Web site to confirm receipt of your appeal form.
What is the deadline for filing an annual Assessment Appeal Form?
The filing deadline for 2010 appeals is March 31, 2010.
When and where does the Board of Appeals meet?
The Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review meets every two weeks at 8:00 a.m. in Room 328 of the County Office Building at Forbes and Ross Streets in downtown Pittsburgh. You can view the 2010 Meeting Schedule of the Board online.
Here are some Tips for your property assessment appeal!
Appeal Hearings
When will I be assigned a hearing date?
You will be notified by mail approximately 14 days prior to the hearing with date, time and location for all residential properties; approximately 30 days' prior notice is given for all commercial properties.
I will be away on vacation for a few weeks -- what if my notice arrives while I’m away?
If you have not made arrangements through your local post office for your mail to be forwarded, it may be a good idea to call our public information center periodically at 412-350-4600 to check on the status.
What should I do if I am not able to attend my scheduled hearing date?
Please call our public information center at 412-350-4600. Any of our Service Coordinators will be able to assist you. Keep in mind that you have the right to postpone a scheduled hearing only once.
What type of evidence, if any, must I bring to my appeal hearing?
The last County-wide reassessment was 2002, also known as the Base Year. At your hearing, you must be able to show what your property was worth in 2002. You can do this by researching similar homes in your neighborhood, finding similar properties to yours that sold in 2002 or before, checking with local Realtors, and/or getting an appraisal with an effective date of January 1, 2002. It is recommended that you provide a copy of the sales comparables for your property from our Real Estate Web site. Also, you can make arrangements with the public information center to obtain a property record card so that you can view the data characteristics we have recorded for your property. If there are discrepancies, notify us before your hearing so that they can be corrected – just call 412-350-4600. There is also a section of the web site that contains Tips for Assessment Appeals that may provide further information.
Do I need to hire an attorney to represent me?
Hiring an attorney to represent you is your choice. Legal representation is not required. However, most school districts and municipalities will have legal counsel present.
If I cannot attend my hearing, may I send someone else?
Yes, you can decide to send another interested party provided they have an authorized representative form from you with your signature.
If the school district or the municipality filed an appeal against my property, should I attend?
You are not required to attend an appeal filed on your property by your school district or municipality. However, you may attend the hearing to present evidence for your case if you so choose.
Special Appeals
Where may I get a Special Appeal Form?
The Special Appeal Form is available:
- Third floor of the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
- By calling the OPA Public Information Line at 412-350-4600.
- On the Property Appeal Forms web page.
What is the deadline for filing a Special Appeal Form?
The deadline for filing a special appeal is thirty (30) days from the mailing date of the determination letter. A copy of the "Notice of Assessment Change" or " Determination Letter" from the Office of Property Assessments must be attached to the Special Appeal Form or the appeal will not be processed and will be returned.
When will the Special Appeal hearings be held?
Hearings for Special Appeals will be heard within six months of receipt of the Special Appeal Form.
How will I be notified of my hearing date for a Special Appeal hearing?
You will be officially notified in advance by mail with a notice of appeal hearing, which lists the date, time and location. You can also call our office to check your scheduled date at (412) 350-4600.
Here are some Tips for your property assessment appeal!
Taxation
Who sets taxation rates?
The county tax millage is set by Allegheny County Council. School tax millages are set by local school boards. Municipal tax millages are set by individual municipalities.
Use the following links to find your millage rates:
How do I calculate my taxes?
The amount of property taxes that you pay to each taxing body is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the millage rate set by each taxing body. In practice, a millage rate of 1 (one) mill means that you pay $1.00 (one dollar) in taxes for every $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) of assessed value. For instance, if your home has a new assessed value of $100,000 and your municipality has set a new millage rate of 5 mills, your property tax bill would be $500. Here's how you would calculate your tax bill: First, convert the millage rate to its decimal equivalent to make the multiplication easier. [5 mills x 0.001 = .005 ] Then, multiply your new assessed value ($100,000) by the decimal equivalent of the millage rate (0.005) to determine your tax bill. [$100,000 x 0.005 = $500]
If we have not addressed your question, please call the Office of Property Assessments Public Information Line at 412-350-4600. Service Coordinators are available 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.