MR. HALEYNAME______

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

REAL PROPERTY TAXES

The process of calculating and preparing for real estate taxes at the local governmental level will make your head spin like the little girl in the Exorcist movie. However, for purposes of our class, you need to understand the basics. First, review the process of searching for property records information through the Montgomery County Board of Assessment. All property records are public records available to the public. It is important that all property owners know how to search the county records to examine if your property taxes are correct or are unfairly high.

OBJECTIVE: The students will develop research skills and discover how to search property records through the County courthouse website.

INSTRUCTIONS: Follow the steps below.

Access the following website and search for property tax information about their home address and one similar home close to their address.

1.) Enter the above URL for the Montgomery County Board of Assessment

2.) In the red colored left hand column click on “PROPERTY RECORDS”

3.) On the welcome page, click on “Property Records Search”

4.) Read the “Disclaimer” (seriously) and click on “AGREE”

5.) On the top line of this search page click on “ADDRESS” which is next to owner name

6.) In the Search by Property Address section, you need to enter your street address.

  • “Number” is your house number like 115 in an address of 115 Main Street
  • “Direction” is to be used if the street is like North Main Street
  • “Street” is the name of the street you live on like Main Street
  • “Suffix” is the last part of an address like Street or Avenue or Road or Circle. Use the drop down arrow and select the correct entry
  • Unit # would apply if you live in an apartment
  • “Municipality” is the actual town you live in – Lansdale, Hatfield, North Wales etc. Use the drop down arrow and select the appropriate town. BUT this is tough because mailing addresses may not be your actual Municipality. I live at a Quakertown mailing address but I am in Richland Township. So if there is no record under your first town name, you can use “ALL” and see what comes up. It may be a process of elimination.
  • If their property shows up you need to complete the information on the worksheet.
  • If you cannot find a home, try to choose a property address close to where you live and complete the search on that property.

YOUR HOME –Your Address
1.) Most recent sale date?
2.) Most recent Purchase price?
3.)Current Assessed Value?
4.) Lot Size and Zoning (Land Use)?
5.) County Property Taxes Due?
6.)Municipality Property Taxes Due?
7.)School Taxes Due?
8.)Total property taxes Due?

II SEARCH FOR THE TAX MILLAGE RATE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES / Millage Rate
Montgomery County Assessment

  1. What is the Montgomery County Property Tax Millage?

  1. What is the North Penn School District Millage (use a Municipality in NP)?

  1. What is the Municipality Millage for Lansdale?

  1. What is the Municipality Millage for Hatfield Borough?

  1. What is the Municipality Millage for Hatfield Township?

  1. What is the Municipality Millage for Norristown?

  1. What is the Municipality Millage for Souderton?

  1. What is the School Millage for Souderton?

  1. What is the School Millage for Cheltenham School District?

  1. Which Municipality has the lowest Total Tax Millage Rate – Lansdale or Abington?

  1. NEXT, YOU ARE TO CALCULATE THE PROPERTY TAXES DUE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Remember to follow this calculation process:

ASSESSED VALUE X TAX MILLAGE (BUT MOVE THE DECIMAL 3 PLACES TO THE LEFT) = Property taxes Due

Example: A house assessed at $150,000 in Upper Gwynedd would pay a total property tax of ?

$150,000 x 25.6633 Mills

But 1 mill is equal to 1/1000 or .001 – so move the decimal 3 places to the left

$150,000 x .0256633 = $3,849.50 Property taxes Due

  1. Total Property Taxes due for a $200,00.00(Assessed Value) house in Hatboro ______
  1. County Property Taxes due for a $100,000 (assessed Value) condo in

Towamencin ______

  1. SchoolTax Due for a $100,000 (AV) townhouse in Lansdale Boro ______
  1. Total Property tax Due for a $300,000 (AV) house in Souderton ______
  1. Municipal Tax due for a $100,000 (AV) house in Norristown ______
  1. TotalProperty Tax Due for a $450,000 (AV) house in Montgomeryville ______