Tax Assessment Appeals

We represent owners of residential, commercial and industrial real estate in Pennsylvania in the appeal of real estate tax assessments. These appeals involve appearances before local assessment authorities, the Courts of Common Pleas and Pennsylvania’s appeal courts.

In 2012, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba (FLB) secured tax assessment valuation reductions of $24,467,000.00, resulting in estimated tax savings for our clients of over $1.25 million annually.  In many instances, our attorneys obtained these results at the administrative level, without the need for litigation. FLB represents taxpayers at all levels of the Pennsylvania courts and has filed a number of court appeals this year. Some of those matters have now been resolved favorably for the taxpayers.

FLB represents residential, commercial and industrial property owners in Pennsylvania real estate tax assessment appeals. We are experienced in reducing tax assessments for multi-tenant office buildings, corporate headquarters, warehouses, golf courses and residential homes. Our Firm also represents non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania tax exemption appeals. We are experienced in obtaining exemptions for both local and nationally-recognized non-profit organizations, including hospitals.

Our attorneys creatively address assessment challenges, working closely with quality appraisers and financial and valuation specialists.

Past successes include obtaining one of the largest tax assessment reductions in Pennsylvania. Joseph A. Fitzpatrick, Jr., a member of FLB’s Real Estate, Land Use and Development Group, successfully litigated Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. v. Bd. of Assessment Appeals of Lehigh County (720 A.2d 790) before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The Air Products case, upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, is still cited today for its precedential value in determining highest and best use of a property by clarifying that appraisers may not speculate on possible uses. Our attorneys have had dozens of other successful outcomes over the last couple of decades.

Recent clients have included a certified class of over 300 residential homeowners in active adult communities and a Fortune 500 company with an industrial and office complex. One of the largest reductions in assessed valuation of property in Pennsylvania history was accomplished on behalf of a Fortune 500 client, as a result of an assessment appeal trial handled by our Firm.