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Tax bill hassles
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My original reassessment notice showed an increase in value of almost double that of the old figure. I appealed it initially to no avail. Then I hired an accredited real estate assessor who not only assessed my apartment in my condominium building but gave me printouts of several sales of our apartments during the past year. I paid $106 to file an appeal before the court of Allegheny County and finally had my appointment with three judges on Dec. 12, 2012. After presenting my paperwork the judges reduced my assessment by more than one-third and I was given a copy of the newly approved assessment figure.
Therefore, it was quite a surprise to see the tax statement from the city of Pittsburgh, which I received by mail on Feb. 25, almost 21/2 months later, which showed the non-reduced original assessment figure. It has been impossible to reach their office by telephone, which either rings constantly or indicates a busy signal. I did reach the county real estate office. I was told by the person I spoke with that he could see the adjustment on the Internet but it was not yet part of their "system" and he could not tell me when it would be. That person promised to get back to me as did the person who answered my call to Rich Fitzgerald's office. As of Friday, I still hadn't heard from anyone.
Recently I made a special trip to the city's real estate office. The person taking care of me found that the adjustment was now in her system, but she knew nothing about if and when a revised bill would be sent. She did print out for me a newly revised bill, which I will use in paying for my taxes by March 31.
My question is: With all of the technology, why is it so complicated and why does it take so long to make these legitimate adjustments?
S.P. RYAVE
Oakland
First Published March 17, 2013 12:00 am
