New common level ratio factor for Philadelphia may mean realty transfer tax refunds *

USA - January 16 2013
For straightforward real estate transactions involving a deed for consideration, the Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is based on the purchase price…

Co-authors: Wendi L. Kotzen.

Buildings on ground leases subject to Pennsylvania real estate tax: Pennsylvania Supreme Court ups the ante for taxing improvements *

USA - June 8 2012
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that even where a landlord merely ground leases land to a tenant who builds a building on it—and the landlord collects rent only on the land—the value of that building is subject to real estate tax.

Co-authors: Benjamin V. Sanchez .

Back to the future for real estate tax exemptions and pilots/silots? Charities must meet HUP test and Act 55, Pennsylvania High Court rules *

USA - May 7 2012
For charitable organizations in Pennsylvania, obtaining and preserving real estate tax exemptions just got a little more difficult.

Co-authors: Wendi L. Kotzen.

Philadelphia real estate tax reduction opportunity *

USA - August 8 2011
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has just published its annual tax assessment ratio report for each county, and, if its finding stands, many Philadelphia property owners may be able to achieve substantial savings on their real estate taxes.

Co-authors: Matthew N. McClure , Benjamin V. Sanchez , Michael Sklaroff .