Virtual February 23rd Real Estate Taxation Conference

What is wrong with this picture?  Philadelphia Forward Executive Director Brett Mandel illustrates the problem: in Philadelphia similar properties pay different Real Estate Tax Bills.

This problem can be fixed.  Wellesley College Professor Karl Case tells how Boston made the transformation from a broken system to fair system of real estate taxation.

About 200 people participated in the conference throughout the day.  Attendees included elected officials, candidates, members of the media, and citizens from neighborhoods across the city.

Dave Brunori from State Tax Notes explains that while homeowners often complain about taxes on real estate, implemented correctly, a Real Estate Tax is an appropriate tax for local jurisdictions.

Conference participants were not shy about asking their questions to ensure that they understood the issues.  Thekla Scott expresses her concerns about how taxes affect community residents.

Attendees used web resources to see how proposed changes to the Real Estate Tax system could affect their tax bills.  Click Here to use Philadelphia Forward's Real Estate Tax Calculator.

Brett Mandel chaired the Tax Reform Commission's Real Estate Tax Working Group.  It's recommendations called for making real estate taxation fair and for protecting vulnerable homeowners.

Wharton's Kevin Gillen's showed that some city homeowners are undertaxed and some are overtaxed.  His updated research confirms that the problem has gotten much worse in recent years.

Over lunch, Wharton's Robert Inman explained the economics of local taxation and suggested that we avoid taxing businesses and commuters and concentrate Real Estate Taxes on the value of land.

Board of Revision of Taxes chair David Glancey explained how full-value reassessment will set proper home values; elected officials would have to lower tax rates so the city won't see a windfall.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz expressed his concerns that the Mayor and City Council would not reduce taxes and that full-value reassessment would then dramatically increase tax bills.

Philadelphia Real Estate Tax law authority Joseph Bright warned that assessing at full value is the law.  If we do not set fair and accurate values, the courts will force us to do so.

The final panel of presenters addressed how Philadelphia can protect vulnerable homeowners and ensure that no Philadelphians will be forced out of their homes because of high taxes.  It was a lively way to conclude the day and attendees asked probing questions to ensure that panelists answered their concerns.

Mark Haveman from the Minnesota Taxpayers Association warned that  assessment caps and tax freezes caps can make the tax structure even more unfair;  Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed said that taxing land more and buildings less will help spur growth, but also lower tax bills for city  homeowners.

Building Industy Assn. Pres. Bill Reddish told that abatements have increased city tax revenues; Bert Waisanen from the Nat'l Conf. of St. Legislatures told of policies to hold down low-income residents' tax bills; Hallwatch's Ed Goppelt called for the city to collect the $500 million it is owed in back taxes.