More than 500 Area Taxpayers Seek Reassessment Reviews

More than 500 taxpayers in Lower Macungie 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."

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

Of those requesting reviews in Alburtis:

• 40 are for residential properties. (Out of 840 properties)
• 5 are for commercial properties. (Out of 24 properties)
• 1 is for vacant land. (Out of 27 properties.)

Of those requesting reviews in Macungie:

• 67 are for residential properties. (Out of 956 properties)
• 4 are for commercial properties. (Out of 70 properties)
• 0 are for vacant land. (Out of 35 properties.)

Of those requesting reviews in Lower Macungie Township:

• 480 are for residential properties. (Out of 11,488 properties)
• 24 are for commercial properties. (Out of 270 properties)
• 43 are for vacant land. (Out of 567 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.

More property owners in , and are expected to see their , rather than rise, with the coming Lehigh County property reassessment.