If passed, PA HB1213 will have significant negative financial implications for school districts across the state.

HB1213 will prohibit school districts and other taxing authorities to file reverse assessment appeals on under-assessed properties.

Reverse appeals are NOT spot assessments

PA Courts have consistently held that reverse appeals (just like taxpayer appeals) are necessary to ensure fairness and uniformity under the PA Constitution.

The result of under-assessed commercial property is higher property taxes for all other taxpayers, including residential taxpayers.

PA lawmakers are being lobbied hard by the Pennsylvania Residential Owners Association and big box department stores who do not want to pay their fair share of taxes. Will appartment owners reduce rent if their taxes are lowered? Will retail stores lower their prices if their taxes are lowered? Most likely not. But, local residents will have real estate and other taxes raised to make up for lost commercial tax revenue.

Lost revenue for school districts also means program cuts, higher class sizes, furloughs and more.