But there have been concerns raised about the infrequency with which reassessment occurs in Pennsylvania, which may mean assessments are no longer fair and that some properties end up paying more and others less than they should. If reassessment occurred more regularly, property values would be set more fairly and the real property tax would be fairer. A common misconception about the real property tax is that renters do not pay the tax. Renters do not directly receive a real property tax bill from their school district or local government. If the local real property tax goes up, rents end up getting raised as well.
Renters end up at least indirectly paying the real property tax.
Unfairness across jurisdictions Heavy reliance on the real property tax also creates inequities across school districts. These differences are one justification for state support of local education. Many people consider it unfair for taxpayers in less wealthy districts to face higher school tax burdens through no fault of their own. Similarly, people are also concerned that less wealthy school districts may have a more difficult time providing a quality education to their students than do more wealthy districts. Many consider it unfair for students to receive different qualities of education, based simply on where they happen to live.