New assessments delayed again in Philadelphia

The long-awaited new property tax assessments in Philadelphia are being delayed.  

Mayor Michael Nutter says that, after careful consideration, his administration has decided not to send out the new property assessment numbers in September

“On Feb. 15, 2013, we plan to mail out the Actual Value Initiative assessments to every property owner in the city,” Nutter said Thursday.

Nutter says the delay should prevent confusion since tax bills due next spring will be calculated using old assessments.

“Unfortunately, some may get slightly confused by all this activity,” he said. “It is, unfortunately, an unintended consequence of making the transition from one system to another.”

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, D-Philadelphia, says the use of actual values for taxation is to make it easier to understand the process.

“Hopefully, the first thing they become aware of is that, if they have worked their life to buy a home 20 years ago, we are not going to tax them out of their home,” said Williams.

City officials suggest residents fill out their homestead rebate applications by Nov. 15.  Those rebates exempt the first $30,000 of home value from property taxes.