Blair County

Pennsylvania

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Understanding Reassessment Brochure

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Overview of Blair County Reassessment

This document explains the countywide reassessment process for real estate in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The current base year for assessments is 1958, and the new base year will be January 1, 2016. The reassessment is conducted by Evaluator Services and Technology, Inc. (EST) under contract with the Blair County Commissioners to ensure fair and equitable tax values.

What is a Countywide Reassessment?

  • Purpose: To establish a new base year value for all properties to reflect current market trends and changes in real estate values.
  • Frequency: Ideally every 3-4 years, though Pennsylvania has historically seen periods of 20-25 years between reassessments.
  • Goal: To ensure that property owners pay their fair share of the tax burden based on the true market value of their property.

Who is Conducting the Reassessment?

  • Contractor: Evaluator Services and Technology, Inc. (EST).
  • Responsibilities: Updating the Assessment Office's software, collecting property data in the field, developing Fair Market Values, calculating Clean and Green values, and assisting with formal appeals.
  • Valuation: All valuations are made by Certified Pennsylvania Evaluators (CPE).

What to Expect When a Data Collector Visits

  • Identification: Collectors will display an official county ID. If credentials are not produced, do not permit them onto the property and notify the police or Reassessment Office.
  • Process: They will verify property descriptions, take photographs of structures, and record information on a property record card.
  • Access: They will not go inside homes. They may ask for information about the interior via mail or internet (www. blairco. org).
  • Data Collected: Building size, type, age, renovations, number of stories/rooms/bathrooms, siding, heating, outbuildings, and extraneous economic influences (e. g. , landfills).

Approaches to Value

The document outlines three methods used to determine Fair Market Value:

  1. Market Approach: Based on recent sales of similar properties in the county. Only valid, arm's-length transactions are used.
  2. Cost Approach: Calculates the replacement cost of a building, less depreciation, plus the value of the land.
  3. Income Approach: Used for income-producing properties (commercial/industrial). It calculates the present worth of future benefits (Net Operating Income) capitalized over the economic life of the property.

Key Dates and Timeline

  • Base Year: January 1, 2016.
  • Change of Assessment Notice: Mailed on or before July 1, 2016.
  • Certification of New Tax Base: On or before November 15, 2016.

Myths and Misunderstandings

  • Myth: Reassessment means taxes will increase.
    • Fact: Not necessarily. About one-third of the tax base may see a decrease, one-third stay the same, and one-third pay more. The change depends on whether the increase in market value is more or less than the average increase in the taxing district.
  • Myth: Reassessment provides new revenue for taxing bodies.
    • Fact: Not true. State law requires the millage rate to be adjusted so that the same total revenue is collected as in the previous year.

Clean and Green Program

  • Eligibility: Land tracts of 10 acres or more actively producing an agricultural commodity.
  • Benefit: Allows qualifying land to be assessed at "use value" instead of "market value," providing a tax reduction.
  • Information: Available at www. blairco. org or by contacting the Blair County Assessment Office.

Appeal Process

  • Informal Review: Property owners can request an informal administrative review to discuss valuation, make data corrections, or provide evidence affecting value.
  • Formal Appeal: If unsatisfied with the informal review, owners may file a formal appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals/Revision.
  • Court Appeal: If dissatisfied with the Board's decision, an appeal may be made to the Court of Common Pleas.

Contact Information

Blair County Reassessment Office c/o Evaluator Services and Technology, Inc. 317 Union Street, Suite 108 Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Phone: 814. 317. 5353 Email: reval@blairco. org

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