Nearly 600 Area Taxpayers Seek Reassessment Reviews

Nearly 600 taxpayers in Emmaus Patch have asked Lehigh County for a review of their property reassessments in hopes of reducing any tax increases, or for other reasons.

"Based on what I’ve seen and heard, these aren’t all going to be 'challenges,'” Tom Muller, the county's director of administration, said. "Some may just be correcting some information on the details of their property that don’t impact value in a mass reassessment."

Emmaus Patch area taxpayers are among more than 5,500 countywide who have asked for a review, he said.

Of those requesting reviews in Emmaus:

• 290 are for residential properties. (Out of 3,644 properties)
• 27 are for commercial properties. (Out of 354 properties)
• 7 are for vacant land. (Out of 96 properties.)

Of those requesting reviews in Upper Milford Township:

• 200 are for residential properties. (Out of 2,800 properties)
• 19 are for commercial properties. (Out of 90 properties)
• 39 are for vacant land. (Out of 417 properties.)

Muller said the reviews are fact-finding sessions. Property owners will meet with an assessor and make their case for a lower reassessment, if that's what they're seeking. The assessor can address how the property values were derived and discuss the property owner's issues with the reassessment. 

Muller said that in most cases, the assessor will not make a final decision. An on-site visit may be necessary. He said property owners will get a formal decision in writing and may opt to go to a formal appeal.

"We know we can’t possibly be right on every one of over 125,000 parcels, but I do believe the vast majority will find our number to be below what they believe is the market price for their property, Muller said.

Property owners have until March 16 to request a review of their property reassessment with an assessor.