Understanding Your Property Tax Assessment and Appeal Process in Chester County, PA

Spring has sprung in Chester County, and with it comes a crucial window for property owners: Property Tax Appeal season! If you own property, now's the time to pay attention, because Annual Property Tax Appeals can only be filed from May 1st through the first business day in August each year. This is your opportunity to review your assessment and ensure it accurately reflects your property's value.

Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for our county, municipalities, and school districts, directly funding essential services like public safety, education, and human services. If you believe your property's assessment isn't fair, Pennsylvania law gives you the right to appeal.

Why Your Chester County Property Assessment Might Be Outdated (Even for New Construction!)

Did you know Chester County hasn’t had a countywide property reassessment since 1998? That’s right—your property's value for tax purposes is likely still based on market conditions from over two decades ago. Unless you’ve added new construction or significant improvements that triggered an interim assessment, your tax assessment might be seriously out of step with today’s market.

The last full reassessment became effective in 1998. Since then, property values have shifted dramatically due to inflation, changing neighborhoods, and broader market trends—but your fundamental assessment might remain unchanged.

Even if you've recently built a new structure or made significant improvements that led to an interim assessment, these new values can still be challenged. This is because those interim adjustments are calculated using the existing (and often outdated) assessment methodology. If you feel your assessment doesn’t reflect your property’s actual value in today's market, you have the right to challenge it.

Understanding Assessments and Appeals

Simply put, your assessment is the value Chester County assigns to your property for tax purposes, used to calculate your tax bill alongside the millage rate set by various local authorities.

An interim assessment happens when you make certain improvements that increase your property's value, like building an addition or a new pool. These adjustments are usually effective the month after completion, and you'll receive a notice detailing the change.

If you don't agree with your property's assessment or the effective date of an interim assessment, you have the right to appeal to the Chester County Board of Assessment Appeals.

There are two main types of appeals:

1. Annual Appeal: You can challenge your total assessment each year.
2. The filing window for Annual Appeals is specifically from May 1st through the first business day in August. It’s important to know that your assessment may be lowered, raised, or stay the same after an appeal. If successful, the change takes effect for the following tax year.
3. Interim Appeal: You can challenge an assessment increase due to new construction or improvements.
4. These must be filed within forty days of receiving your Assessment Change Notice. If successful, the change is effective from the date of the interim assessment.

There's a processing fee for each appeal (check the county website for current amounts), payable to the Chester County Treasurer. You'll need to obtain specific appeal forms by calling the Assessment Office or visiting their website – remember they need to be printed and mailed, not faxed or emailed.

At the appeal hearing, you'll have the chance to present information supporting your opinion of value, such as recent appraisals or sales data for similar properties. The Board will then determine a fair market value for your property.

What If You Disagree After the Appeal?

If you're not satisfied with the Board's decision, you can take your appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days. For details on that process, you'd contact the Chester County Law Library or the Prothonotary's Office.

Have Questions About Your Property Assessment or Considering an Appeal?

Navigating the property tax appeal process can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to go it alone. While Trago Realty cannot guarantee specific results for any appeal, we're here to help you understand your property's market value in today’s Chester County landscape.

We'd be happy to talk through your situation with you on a one-on-one basis, review your assessment, and point out any potential red flags or opportunities.

Call Trago Realty today for a personalized conversation about your property's assessment!

Disclaimer: All property tax and assessment information is based on publicly available sources, including the Chester County Assessment Office (Chesco.org), the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board (STEB), and the West Goshen Township’s 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This information is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or real estate advice. Individual circumstances vary, and real estate decisions should be based on professional guidance tailored to your specific situation. Please contact Trago Realty or your real estate agent to discuss your particular situation and/or needs.