To control costs and enhance profits, real estate owners and managers usually focus on negotiating rent escalations, lowering vacancy rates, improving energy efficiencies, expanding advertising and developing synergy among properties. Maintaining a tight control of property/real estate taxes is often either overlooked or misunderstood. While real estate taxes are inevitable, the amount of tax is not. A pro-active and aggressive property tax relief program, coupled with a data management program, can lead to enormous savings and increased profits.

Duane Morris attorneys in the Real Estate Practice Group understand the changing real estate markets and their impacts on property assessments. Since the real estate markets are constantly changing, property assessments must be reviewed annually. Many jurisdictions reappraise every year. Other jurisdictions, while not reappraising yearly, have changing equalization ratios. New market values and changing ratios need to be examined to determine that each property is being fairly taxed, not overtaxed.

Our attorneys handle real estate tax matters pertaining to valuation, exemptions, abatements and all forms of real estate tax relief involving a wide variety of commercial, industrial, residential and special use properties, such as shopping centers, hotels, apartment buildings, office buildings, banking facilities, light and heavy industrial properties and marinas. They have represented taxpayers, assessing authorities and taxing authorities in real estate tax litigation. As they routinely interact with appraisers and assessors, they understand the assessment processes and procedures utilized in various jurisdictions and bring to the practice of real estate tax law a long-standing knowledge of real estate appraisal practice and appraisal methodology.

Duane Morris attorneys assist taxpayers in developing proactive strategies for lowering real estate taxes. They also evaluate whether real estate tax relief is feasible or warranted, based on such factors as the range of tax savings that may reasonably be expected if an appeal is taken and the prospects for settlement at any juncture of the litigation. They know how to avoid unnecessary and costly appeals. Valuation experts and other real estate professionals are matched to the particular assignment and strategies are employed to maximize the ability to obtain the requested relief from the boards of assessment appeals or taxation and the courts of the respective jurisdictions.

Duane Morris attorneys provide the full range of services in the area of real estate tax relief. They are uniquely positioned to provide both consultation and litigation support. Lastly, all of these services are available for any type of property and for one or more properties, including large real estate portfolios in one or more states.

For More Information

For more information, please contact George J. Kroculick or any of the practice members referenced in the Attorney Listing.