Wal-Mart is challenging the assessed values of two local stores in an attempt to lower the amount it pays in annual county, municipal and school taxes.
The Arkansas-headquartered corporation filed two complaints Tuesday in Luzerne County court asking a judge to further reduce the values of its Sam's Club store on Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard and Wal-Mart on Oak Street, Pittston Township. It argues its properties are assessed "substantially higher" than comparable properties in the same area.
The lawsuit comes after the Luzerne County Board of Assessment Appeals reduced the assessed valuation of Sam's Club from $476,640 to $400,000 beginning in 2008. The board also lowered the value of the Pittston Township location from $477,280 to $400,000.
The reduced assessment granted by the Luzerne County Board of Assessment Appeals already results in thousands of dollars in lost revenue for the county and respective municipalities and school districts. An additional reduction could result in more lost tax revenue for the government entities.
©The Citizens Voice 2007
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Wal-Mart Seeks Lower Assessments on Two Properties
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The Citizens Voice, November 14, 2007
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