Allentown Property Tax Records and Assessment Information

Allentown property tax records are maintained primarily through Lehigh County, which assesses all real estate within the city at 100 percent of 2013 fair market value. As Pennsylvania's third-largest city and the county seat of Lehigh County in the Lehigh Valley metro region, Allentown has a well-developed system for accessing property tax records online and in person. This guide explains how to search Allentown property tax records, how the assessment process works, and what relief programs are available to qualifying property owners.

How Allentown Property Assessments Are Conducted

All property assessments for parcels within Allentown are performed by the Lehigh County Assessment Office, located at Government Center, Room 517, 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101. The office can be reached by phone at (610) 782-3038. Lehigh County assesses all real estate at 100 percent of fair market value as established in 2013, the county's most recent base year. This means that the assessed value on record for any Allentown property is intended to reflect what that property would have sold for in 2013.

The base year system is a standard feature of Pennsylvania property taxation. Under state law, counties establish a base year value for all parcels and continue using that year as the reference point for assessed values until a new countywide reassessment is conducted. Because Allentown's real estate market has changed considerably since 2013, current market prices for many properties differ from their assessed values. Property owners who purchased at prices that differ substantially from assessed values may have grounds for an appeal.

Lehigh County's assessment ratio is set at 100 percent of the 2013 base year value, which means there is no separate common level ratio adjustment applied on top of the stated assessed value. This straightforward structure makes it easier for Allentown property owners to understand the relationship between the assessed value and the base year market value against which their taxes are calculated.

Note: Even though Allentown operates under a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1996 with a strong Mayor-Council government structure, property assessment authority still rests with Lehigh County under Pennsylvania law, not with the city itself.

How to Search Allentown Property Tax Records Online

The Lehigh County Assessment Office provides online access to property assessment data for all parcels in the county, including every address in Allentown. Property owners and researchers can search by address, parcel identification number, or owner name to retrieve assessment records, sales history, and property characteristics. The data reflects the county's official assessment information and is updated as changes are recorded by the assessment office.

Search results from the Lehigh County portal display the property's assessed value broken down between land and improvements, the current ownership information on record, and recent sales transactions. Physical characteristics such as lot size, building square footage, year built, and structure type are also shown, as these are the data points that informed the 2013 base year value assigned to the property. For Allentown properties, this information is often sufficient to evaluate whether an assessed value appears accurate relative to comparable properties in the same neighborhood.

The city's website connects Allentown residents to municipal tax resources including the City Treasury office, which handles city-levied property taxes separate from the county assessment.

For city-specific tax billing, the Allentown City Treasury handles collection of the municipal property tax levy. The Treasury processes annual tax bills, accepts payments, and manages delinquency accounts for property taxes owed to the City of Allentown. Property owners should contact this office directly for questions about city tax bills, payment arrangements, or outstanding balances on the municipal portion of their property taxes.

The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law gives all residents the right to request public records from Lehigh County and the City of Allentown. Any property record that is not available through the standard online portals can be requested formally through each agency's open records officer.

Allentown Property Tax Records: In-Person Access

The Lehigh County Assessment Office at Government Center, Room 517, 17 South 7th Street in downtown Allentown, is the primary in-person location for accessing Allentown property tax records. Staff at this office can provide copies of assessment records, answer questions about how assessed values are calculated, and assist property owners who need help understanding their assessment notice or the appeal process. The office is conveniently located in the same building complex as other Lehigh County government offices, making it straightforward to visit multiple offices in a single trip.

For city-specific tax matters, the City Treasury office is accessible through the City of Allentown's website or by visiting Allentown City Hall. The Treasury handles questions about city tax bills, current balances, and payment options. Because Allentown property owners pay taxes to three separate taxing bodies (Lehigh County, the City of Allentown, and the Allentown School District), keeping track of which office handles which portion of the total tax bill is important for resolving any billing or payment questions efficiently.

Residents can contact the Treasury directly for questions about city tax bills, payment plans, or delinquency matters that are specific to the municipal tax levy on Allentown properties.

Pennsylvania's Consolidated Statutes, particularly Title 72 governing taxation and fiscal affairs, provide the legal framework for how Lehigh County conducts assessments and how Allentown collects its municipal tax. Understanding which provisions apply to your situation can help clarify your rights as a property owner in Allentown.

Appealing Allentown Property Tax Assessments

Allentown property owners who disagree with their assessed value can file a formal appeal with the Lehigh County Board of Assessment Appeals. This board operates independently from the assessment office and reviews evidence presented by property owners before issuing a determination on whether the assessed value should be changed. Appeals must be filed by a deadline set annually by Lehigh County, typically August 1 of the tax year in question, though property owners should verify the current year's deadline directly with the Lehigh County Assessment Office at (610) 782-3038.

To build a strong appeal, Allentown property owners generally need to show that the assessed value does not accurately reflect the property's 2013 base year market value. Comparable sales evidence from 2013 or adjusted sales from other years using the county's prescribed methodology form the foundation of most successful appeals. A licensed appraiser can prepare a formal report supporting a lower value, or property owners can present their own evidence to the board. The board hearing is relatively informal and does not require legal representation, though some property owners choose to work with an attorney or tax appeal specialist.

If the board's decision is unsatisfactory, further appeal to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is available. Note that both Lehigh County and the Allentown School District also have the right to appeal assessments they believe are too low, so property owners who recently purchased at prices above their assessed value may receive notice of a county- or school-initiated appeal as well.

Note: Property owners must continue paying their tax bills in full during a pending appeal to avoid accruing interest and penalties. If the appeal results in a reduction, excess payments are refunded.

Tax Relief Programs for Allentown Property Owners

Several state and local programs help reduce property tax burdens for qualifying Allentown residents. The Homestead Exclusion reduces the assessed value of an owner-occupied primary residence for county and school district tax purposes. Lehigh County and the Allentown School District each set their own exclusion amounts, and property owners must apply to have the exclusion applied. Applications are typically available through the Lehigh County Assessment Office and must be filed by a set annual deadline.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue administers the statewide Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, which provides annual rebates to qualifying seniors, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities who meet the income requirements. The program is funded through Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds and slot machine revenue, and rebates range from $380 to $1,000 depending on income level. Allentown residents who qualify should apply through the Department of Revenue or a local state legislator's district office, which often provides assistance with the application process.

Pennsylvania's Clean and Green preferential assessment program applies to qualifying agricultural, forest, or open space land. While most Allentown properties within the city proper do not qualify given the urban setting, properties on the outskirts of the Lehigh Valley that fall within Allentown's jurisdiction or nearby municipalities may be eligible. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development provides information on economic development programs that can interact with property tax obligations for commercial and mixed-use properties in Allentown's designated opportunity zones and Neighborhood Improvement Zones.

What Allentown Property Tax Records Include

Allentown property tax records maintained by Lehigh County contain detailed information about each parcel in the city. The standard record for any Allentown property includes the parcel identification number, current owner name and mailing address, the legal description of the property, and the assessed value with its land and building breakdown. Sales history is also included, showing prior transfer dates and recorded sale prices that inform the county's ongoing assessment activity.

Physical property data in the record covers lot dimensions, total building area, year of construction, number of stories, and the property classification used by the assessment office (residential, commercial, industrial, or other). These characteristics were captured during the 2013 reassessment process and are updated when the county learns of improvements, renovations, demolition, or new construction on a given parcel. Permits issued by the City of Allentown for building work are one mechanism by which the assessment office learns about changes to properties that may warrant an updated valuation.

Tax records specific to the city levy are maintained by the Allentown City Treasury and show the current year's tax bill, payment status, and any outstanding balances. Delinquent taxes become liens on the property and are transferred to Lehigh County's tax claim bureau for collection after the initial delinquency period. Researchers and title professionals reviewing Allentown properties must check both the city treasury and the county tax claim bureau to confirm a property's full tax status.

Related Offices and Resources for Allentown Property Owners

The Lehigh County Assessment Office is the central resource for Allentown property assessment records. Beyond the assessment office, Lehigh County's Recorder of Deeds maintains all recorded property instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens for every parcel in the county. These recorded documents establish the legal chain of title for Allentown properties and are searchable through the county's online recording system, which provides historical deed records dating back many decades.

The Allentown city government operates under a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1996 with a strong Mayor-Council structure. The elected City Council has seven members, and the City Controller is also independently elected to four-year terms. This government structure means that city tax policy decisions are made through the council and mayor rather than through a traditional third-class city commission arrangement. Residents who have concerns about city property tax rates or relief programs can address those concerns to elected council members or the mayor's office.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records and the Department of Revenue provide statewide resources that apply to Allentown property owners. The Department of Revenue's website includes instructions for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate application, tax rate information, and guidance on other state programs that reduce property tax burdens for qualifying individuals. Allentown residents can also consult the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes for the full legal text governing property assessment and taxation.

Note: Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone, established by state legislation, provides special tax incentives for development within a defined area of the city. Property owners in this zone should consult with a tax professional about how NlZ provisions interact with standard property tax obligations.

Lehigh County Connection

Allentown property tax records are assessed and administered through Lehigh County. For county-level assessment data, parcel information, and appeal resources covering all Allentown properties, the county records system is the primary source.

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