Actual Value Initiative

Pew Study: Residential Property Owners Will Pay Bigger Chunk Of Taxes Under AVI

The Pew analysis of the new assessments finds that the percentage of property taxes borne by individual homeowners compared to other owners will go from about 54 percent under the old system to about 60 percent under AVI.

2013/05/14

Property, Wages, or…? Stakeholders Argue Philadelphia’s Tax Policy

The discussion, titled “Philadelphia Taxes — Past, Present and Future.” was organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Temple University’s Center on Regional Politics.

2013/05/03

(Philadelphia city councilman David Oh speaks with reporters. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Councilman Wants To Subpoena Nutter Administration Over Property Revaluations

Councilman at-large David Oh says questions abound over the accuracy of the new assessments, and he says the methodology released last week did not clear up how the new property values were calculated.

2013/05/02

(Carla Pagan, executive director of the Board of Revision of Taxes, testifies before Philadelphia City Council. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Property Tax Appeals Could Take 1½ Years, Official Says

BRT executive director Carla Pagan says the time required will be determined by the number of formal appeals filed, which she estimates could range between 10,000 and 50,000, or more.

2013/04/23

(Philadelphia revenue commissioner Clarena Tolson. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Philadelphia Revenue Chief Promises Firmer Hand Dealing With Tax Deadbeats

Clarena Tolson, the longtime Philadelphia streets commissioner, is now the revenue commissioner.

2013/04/23

(The Pennsylvania capitol, in Harrisburg. File photo)

Measures To Ease Philadelphia’s Transition To AVI Pass State House Committee

A package of bills designed to reduce the sticker shock associated with the overhaul of Philadelphia’s property tax structure has cleared a state House committee.

2013/04/23

(Councilman Mark Squilla. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Councilman Wants No Hikes For Property Owners Awaiting Tax Appeal Decisions

Under current regulations, homeowners would have to pay the new — and possibly higher — bill and then get reimbursed if they win the appeal.

2013/04/18

Phila. Lawmakers Urge Eligible Property Owners To Apply For Homestead Exemption

City Council members say their own analysis of new property assessments points to the great need for relief measures for those hit hardest by rising property values.

2013/04/11

Larry Freedman outside his Northern Liberties home and business. (Credit: Steve Tawa)

Longtime Northern Liberties Resident Urges City Hall To Cap Taxes Increases Under AVI

Larry Freedman says when he moved into his mixed unit building in 1986, it wasn’t much more than a shell. Now, he’s facing a tax assessment that could double his property tax bill.

2013/04/02

Philadelphia residential property owners meet with city officials to get help with their property assessment. (Credit: Mike Dunn)

Fewer Property Owners Than Expected File Informal Appeals Of Property Assessments

Officials had expected about 30,000 requests of first level reviews. The Nutter Administration’s spin on the lower tally: many people are on board with their new value.

2013/04/02

Philadelphia City Council members opened their annual budget hearings on Monday at City Hall. (credit: Steve Tawa)

On Day 2 Of Budget Hearings, Council To Grill Office Of Property Assessment On AVI

Philadelphia City Council today gets a chance to grill the Office of Property Assessment, which compiled the numbers behind the new assessments going out that have generated a lot of anxiety in the neighborhoods.

2013/03/26

(City Council president Darrell Clarke, at rear, tries in vain to restore order before recessing the Council session in the midst of Mayor Nutter's address. Image from City of Phila. TV)

Mayor Nutter’s Budget Address Disrupted By Angry Protesters

The chambers of Philadelphia City Council were packed to the rafters with angry union members as mayor Michael Nutter prepared to unveil his new budget.

2013/03/14

(Philadelphia city councilman James Kenney, in file photo.)

Phila. Councilman Says Spending Cuts Could Keep Tax Rate Down to 1 Percent

Councilman Jim Kenney has introduced a plan to cut spending so the property tax rate stays at or below 1.0 percent.

2013/03/07

Nutter Launches Series Of Meetings To Answer AVI Questions

Tonight brings two meetings — the first of dozens expected this month — staged by the Nutter Administration to reach residents who are confused or upset by their new property assessments.

2013/03/07

(Flanked by other city officials, Mayor Nutter speaks to reporters about the Actual Value Initiative, AVI. Credit: Mike Dunn)

Mayor Nutter Defends City’s New Property Tax Assessments

In recent days both city controller Alan Butkovitz and councilman Mark Squilla have claimed that inaccuracies in the AVI assessments exceed the industry-accepted margin of error. But Mayor Nutter begs to differ.

2013/03/06