Pittsburgh Set to Mail 2012 Assessments; County to Raise Millage Rate

Originally published December 7, 2011. Updated October 2026.

In December 2011, Allegheny County announced that the first 2012 reassessment notices would be mailed on December 19, 2011, to all commercial and residential property owners in the City of Pittsburgh. This article describes what was happening at the time.

Why the City Went First

The court ordered the County to release City of Pittsburgh reassessments before January 1, 2012, so the City and Pittsburgh Public Schools could set their 2012 millage rates. Both operate on a calendar year. Most other school districts and municipalities use a fiscal year running from July to June or similar. The rest of the County would follow later.

Appeal Deadlines Not Yet Set

As of December 7, 2011, the appeal deadline for City properties had not been set. In past years, the deadline had consistently been March 31. There was speculation that 2012 deadlines would be shorter, so we urged owners to watch closely for notices from the Office of Property Assessments.

A Higher County Millage Rate

The County approved an increase in its millage rate from 4.69 mills to 5.69 mills. That meant:

• A property assessed at $100,000 would owe $569 in County tax instead of $469.
• A property assessed at $500,000 would owe $2,845 instead of $2,345.

Some had hoped rates would fall as assessments rose. Instead, many owners faced a double hit: higher values and a higher rate.

The “5% Cap”

Many clients asked about a 5% cap on revenue increases after a reassessment. As we explained at the time, the rule limited a taxing body’s increase in total revenue, not just property tax revenue. Some taxing bodies argued that expected losses elsewhere, such as lower delinquent collections, kept total revenue within the limit even as property tax revenue rose. We expected many to keep rates high out of concern about appeals.

What This Means for You Today

• Your tax bill depends on both your assessment and the millage rate. Watch both.
• Do not assume rates will drop after a reassessment.
• For current rules and the latest reassessment news, see our Allegheny County reassessment guide and tax appeals FAQ, or estimate your situation with our property tax calculator.

Talk to Us

Call 412-802-6666, text 412-855-5511, or send us a message for a free consultation.