Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Reassessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lackawanna County to mail reassessment notices June 20; appeals due Aug. 1
Summary
Lackawanna County Tax Assessor Patrick Tobin announced a countywide property reassessment—the first since 1968—saying new assessed values take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Notices and appeal forms will be mailed and posted June 20; appeal filings are due Aug. 1 and hearings run Aug. 4–Oct. 31.
Patrick Tobin, Lackawanna County tax assessor, announced a countywide property reassessment and said every property owner will receive a notice that will be mailed June 20 outlining new assessed values that take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Tobin told listeners the county has not conducted a full reassessment since 1968 and warned property owners not to apply the current millage rate to the new assessed values: "When you receive your letter, please do not apply the current millage rate to your new assessed value. It'll be wildly off." He said new millage rates will be set by the three taxing bodies after the tax roll is certified on Nov. 14.
The mailed notice will include the assessed value of land and improvements and the total new assessment, Tobin said. He said the complete reassessed tax roll and appeal forms will be posted to the assessor's database on the county website (lackawannacounty.org) on June 20.
Property owners who believe the new assessed value does not reflect true market value have the right to appeal. Tobin gave an appeal filing deadline of Friday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m.; applications must be submitted in person or mailed to the assessment office at 123 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and mailed appeals must bear a postmark of Aug. 1 to be included in this year's appeals.
Tobin described logistical details for filing and hearings: if appealing more than one property, include all properties in a single envelope to allow the office to schedule them together. He said appeals will be heard by the appeals board and four auxiliary boards from Monday, Aug. 4 through Friday, Oct. 31 at the Marketplace at Steam Town, Suite 113, on the first floor, and that parking will be validated for those attending appeal hearings.
Tobin also cautioned that the appeals board has three possible outcomes for an appeal: it can decrease the value, make no change, or increase the new assessed value. He said additional details about the appeal process will be included on the appeal form.
The assessor's office is making the reassessment roll and forms public on June 20 and instructs property owners to consult the county assessment website for the official documents and further contact information.
