Pennsylvania House Moves To Protect City And Schools From Property Tax Hit
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - With Philadelphia's property tax overhaul apparently on hold for a year (see related story), the state House has advanced legislation that would protect tax revenues for the city and school district in the interim.
Philadelphia House Republican John Taylor says if the status quo is maintained in Philadelphia, there will be a drastic impact on appeals of property tax assessments. So the House Tuesday evening approved an amendment he sponsored that will prevent a situation where homeowners would win appeals based on inaccurate numbers.
"We're concerned that in an automatic appeal, that the city school district could lose $100 million dollars without any taxpayer having to show exactly what their individual situation is," Taylor says.
Taylor's amendment would, among other things, require that 2011 data be used in appeals. His amendment was inserted into a bill that would allow Philadelphia homeowners to qualify for a homestead exemption, a property tax break enjoyed by residents in the rest of the state.
