Siegel Jennings - Property Tax Law

In 1994, Siegel Jennings saw that our clients had been expanding into multiple states along with increased portfolio purchases. Responding to that need, Siegel Jennings began helping our clients nationally through our network of like-minded property tax attorneys. Siegel Jennings and the other members of American Property Tax Counsel serve our clients nationally but with a local presence. The unique blend of having Siegel Jennings as a single point of contact with over 125 local attorneys as APTC member partners creates a force like no other group in the country.

Featured in the August 2024 edition of Texas Real Estate Business, "Molly" Mary Anne Phelan’s article highlights a growing commercial real estate segment that, although unfamiliar to many, has already begun to make waves given the names involved—Meta, Google, Amazon, etc.   Data centers are a hot commodity in the modern marketplace. They pose little political risk and maintain great economic prospects, which makes for a great opportunity for assessors to shift the tax burden from local residents to distant corporations. But no one should be unfairly taxed for any reason.   It is crucial that assessors consider the unique circumstances and complex issues confronting data centers so they may offer an accurate assessment and avoid illegal taxation. It is just as important that taxpayers know how to utilize strategies regarding depreciation, business value, and personal property allocation to ensure their taxes are fair and reasonable.   Molly's complete article is available here: https://lnkd.in/grCEvnFU   Here’s a glimpse into how the rise of data centers and other special-use properties has prompted further discussion on how business owners can help keep their taxes reasonable.   Make sure to reach out if you have any questions as you continue to navigate the changing market. #CommericalRealEstate #DataCenters #PropertyTaxes

Kaitlin joined the Siegel Jennings team recently as an Administrative Assistant in our Columbus office. Kaitlin earned her BA in History, Political Science, & Classical Civilizations from Bowling Green State University. Kaitlin’s most recent position was working as an Administrative Assistant for Congressman Robert Latta’s Bowling Green, Ohio district office. Kaitlin’s fun fact is that her black cat is named Poe, inspired by her favorite poet, Edgar Allen Poe. She also loves to read anything spooky!  She's been a great addition to our team! #NewEmployee #WelcomePost #NewHire #Nevermore

Founded in 1994, the American Property Tax Counsel (APTC) is a team of over 125 property tax attorneys in every major market across the United States and Canada, APTC is the premier organization of law firms providing commercial property owners with a single source for all their property tax needs. The APTC attorneys are well-connected and actively involved in shaping property tax laws through their writing, legislative accomplishments, and case decisions.

🎙️ New Podcast Alert 🎙️ Ever wondered how Ohio’s property tax system really works? Peter K. Grealis sat down with Kristopher Nicoloff and Steve Nowak recently for a Rust Belt Real Estate Podcast to dive deep into the latest Cuyahoga County reappraisal for the 2024 tax year. 💡 Discover the nuances of property taxes and the impact these reappraisals could have. 🎧 Tune in now and get the insights you need. Subscribe! Peter and the rest of the team at Colliers are fantastic. #PropertyTaxes #CommercialRealEstate

Check out Pennsylvania State Senator Fontana's August 6th newsletter where he quotes Sharon Fitzgerald DiPaolo, Esquire, CRE®'s testimony (among others) related to legislative efforts to address Pennsylvania's property assessment system. Sharon: "[The] cost of inaction is harder to see because it is lost opportunity…The inability to budget accurately for real estate taxes is the biggest obstacle to potential buyers and developers who want to be in Pennsylvania’s market." #TaxPolicy #PropertyTaxes #CommercialRealEstate

Fee simple as if unencumbered is an elusive concept and much debated amongst Appraisal Institute members. Ohio law has applied this concept to mean appraising real property assuming a transfer or a lease to a market participant at market terms. Failure to value the fee simple estate leads to an overvaluation and an excessive tax bill. Everyone at Siegel Jennings strives to understand appraisal concepts like this so we can more effectively advocate for our clients and advance fairness in our tax system. I am happy to be part of the firm's long tradition. #PropertyTaxes #CommericalRealEstate

Reflecting on the legacy of our esteemed Siegel Jennings colleagues, we remember their contributions with deep appreciation. Among them was our dear friend and long-time colleague, Deborah J. Papushak, who passed away in 2019. Debbie is remembered not only for her professional excellence but also for her adventurous spirit and unwavering kindness. Her presence is profoundly missed. A proud Cleveland native, Debbie graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in History before earning her J.D. Her commitment to lifelong learning led her to acquire a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University. Debbie’s impressive legal career included roles as a Court Bailiff at the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Master Commissioner at the Supreme Court of Ohio , Staff Counsel to the Ohio Supreme Court, and extensive practice in School Law, Probate, Estate Planning, Administrative Law, and Real Estate. She joined Siegel Jennings in 2011, where she brought over forty years of expertise in real property tax litigation.

In 2012, Ohio law was revised to clarify that it was the unencumbered fee simple interest to be valued for real property tax purposes after jurisprudence around arm’s length sale prices had become increasingly rigid, ignoring the facts of individual transactions and leading to inequitable assessments among taxpayers. In effect, the presumption had become irrebuttable. Siegel Jennings worked to correct this trend towards nonuniformity and inequity in assessments leading to an amendment to the relevant statute, Ohio Revised Code Section 5713.03. Unlike some jurisdictions, the leasehold estate is not taxable in Ohio, so this ensured that the same interest would be valued for every taxpayer, strengthening the constitutional guarantee of uniform taxation.

🐈 Meet the Illinois Office’s Fury & Feathery Associates 🐕 🐦 Working from home has become part of the way of we do business. And, based on all the Teams calls, Seigel Jennings has learned that not all of our colleagues can wear business casual. Working from home has also shown us that our animals remind us to stay grounded. Here's an introduction to some of our Illinois office's fury and feathery associates who trying hard (we think) to understand cap rates. Have any of your pets made appearances in your work meetings? Share your stories below! #WFH #RemoteWork #PetsOfLinkedIn #WorkLifeBalance