On average, the assessed value of properties in the city increased by 3 percent from the 2025 tax year, which was the last time Philadelphia performed a citywide reassessment.
This year, Philadelphia reassessed the market values of all properties in the city. These new market values will determine the real estate taxes taxpayers have to pay for the 2027 tax year, due March 31, 2027.
On average, the assessed value of properties in the city increased by 3 percent from the 2025 tax year, which was the last time Philadelphia performed a citywide reassessment. The city states that for the median-valued residential property, the estimated change in a taxpayer’s real estate tax bill will be approximately $97.
However, certain areas were subject to much steeper increases in assessment than others. In particular, lower-income areas that border higher-income gentrifying areas, like Kensington, Mantua, Grays Ferry and Kingsessing, saw the largest increases, with the median assessed value increasing by more than 12 percent.
A taxpayer who disputes an increased assessment on their property has the right to appeal the assessment. Typical grounds to appeal the city’s assessment include (1) overvaluation, where the city set the value of the property higher than its fair market value, (2) nonuniformity, where the city valued other similar properties differently than the taxpayer’s particular property, and (3) the incorrect application of a tax abatement or exemption, which would have lowered the assessment.
To challenge an increased assessment, a taxpayer must file a formal appeal with the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) by October 5, 2026. The BRT will hold a hearing on the appeal, and the taxpayer will be permitted to introduce evidence (including expert witness testimony if desired) to show that the property should be assessed at a lower value.
If the property is assessed at more than $1.5 million, the taxpayer must submit an appraisal to the BRT at least 45 days before the hearing date. If the property is income-producing (such as commercial, industrial or residential rental property), the taxpayer must submit income and expense statements for the last two years, a copy of all current leases (if applicable) and photographs of the property to the BRT at least 45 days before the hearing date. Additional documents, including rent rolls and plans showing the location of all buildings on the property, are required for properties that are leased to five or more tenants or that are used as office buildings or shopping centers. If any expert witnesses will present testimony at the hearing, the taxpayer must submit documentation regarding the expert to the BRT at least 45 days before the hearing date.
Because the October 5, 2026, deadline to file an appeal with the BRT is fast-approaching, taxpayers should make sure to find their new property assessments and decide whether to appeal any increase. New assessments for specific properties can be found at the city’s website, property.phila.gov, in addition to notices that the city mailed out to taxpayers earlier this year.
For More Information
If you have any questions about this Alert, please contact George J. Kroculick, Meredith E. Carpenter, any of the attorneys in our Real Estate Practice Group or the attorney in the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.
Disclaimer: This Alert has been prepared and published for informational purposes only and is not offered, nor should be construed, as legal advice. For more information, please see the firm's full disclaimer.