Philadelphia again extends deadline for property tax reviews

Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration, for the second time, is extending the period during which residents can apply to have their property tax assessments reconsidered.

Monday was the deadline to appeal assessments with the Board of Revision of Taxes, but residents will have until Dec. 2 to submit to a less formal process known as a First Level Review, or FLR.

During a FLR, the Office of Property Assessment will consider revising valuations based on forms submitted by residents, who can argue that their home’s characteristics were incorrect or that similar properties received different assessments.

FLR applications were included in notices mailed to property owners in recent months. Those who did not receive a form or lost it can call 215-686-9200 for a replacement.

To view a property’s assessment and get an estimated tax bill, go to www.property.phila.gov and type in an address.

The extension to December was based, officials said, on conversations with City Council, which has expressed concern with the effects of the reassessment process. Previously, the Kenney administration moved the FLR deadline from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14.

“This deadline extension is essential,” Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson said in a statement Tuesday. “The stakes are too high to not get this right.”

All properties were reassessed in May, and, as a result, total residential values rose 31%. Many homeowners saw much higher increases — for some, particularly in North Philadelphia, assessments doubled or tripled, according to a map produced by the City Controller’s Office.

As part of municipal budget negotiations, the city invested money in several tax relief programs, including the popular Homestead Exemption.

The exemption, available for all owner-occupied homes, was increased from $45,000 to $80,000, which will be subtracted from the valuation. Residents who have received the break in the past do not need to apply again.

Homeowners not currently receiving the benefit can apply at tax-services.phila.gov or by calling 215-686-9200.

The Longtime Owner Occupant Program, known as LOOP, is for people who have owned their properties for more than a decade, have seen large assessment spikes and meet certain income requirements.

In addition, the Senior Citizens Tax Freeze benefit allows low-income residents ages 65 and older to permanently lock in their assessments.

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