CONTROLLER WAGNER COMMENDS AUDITOR GENERAL FOR SHEDDING LIGHT ON IMPACT OF TAX EXEMPTIONS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND STATEWIDE

Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner today commended Auditor General Eugene DePasquale for highlighting, statewide, the financial impact of tax-exempt properties on municipal and county governments and school districts. DePasquale released a special report today.
 
The Auditor General’s report highlights Controller Wagner’s June 2012 report that looked at property tax exemptions in Allegheny County and called on the Administration to do what is in its power to address the issue. Her report was released shortly after the Supreme Court ruled, in April 2012, that organizations must prove they meet five tougher standards of public charity, drastically improving Allegheny County’s ability to more aggressively scrutinize and challenge organizations’ tax-exempt status on a parcel-by-parcel basis. At the time of that report, the total amount of lost revenue for the County was nearly $95 million, an amount that could reduce property taxes by approximately 1.75 mills for homeowners, an average of $173 per property.
 
“This issue is at a major crossroads, as residents continue to face increased taxes, both locally and statewide,” Wagner said. “It is critical that we communicate the importance of this issue to voters well in advance of the May election, as Auditor General DePasquale noted, and ensure that they understand the impact this has on their local government and community. It is also important to continue to press local and state leaders to do what is now in their power to do – challenge unfair tax exemptions.”