Pennsylvania Statutes Title 72 P.S. Taxation and Fiscal Affairs § 4844. Failure to file return;  false or late return;  assessments;  additions;  time;  objections

(a) If any taxable resident shall fail to file a return, or fail to include in any return all of his property made taxable by this act, or shall file a return which is false, incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate, the board of revision of taxes, or the county commissioners, shall make an assessment of the tax against such resident of the amount of tax for which such resident is liable, or for which he is believed by the board of revision, or county commissioners, to be liable, to which estimated return the board of revision of taxes, or county commissioners, shall add twelve per cent, and the aggregate amount so obtained shall be the basis for taxation.  If any taxable resident of a county of the second class or second class A shall file a return at a time later than the last day for filing such return as fixed by law of the year in which he is liable to pay the tax imposed by this act, the board of property assessment appeals and review of such county of the second class or the board of assessment appeals of such county of the second class A shall add five per cent to the assessment of the tax, and the aggregate amount so obtained shall be the basis for assessment.

(b) The board of revision, or the proper county commissioners, shall notify by mail such resident of the estimated assessment.  If such resident is dissatisfied with the assessment so made, he may, on or before the day fixed for appeals from assessments, present reasons, supported by oath or affirmation, for his failure to file a return to include all of his taxable property therein;  or for having made a return which was incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate, and the board of revision of taxes, or the county commissioners, as the case may be, may, if satisfied with the excuse so presented, permit the taxpayer to file his own return and substitute said return for the estimated return made by the board of revision of taxes or the county commissioners.  In all cases where a false return has been filed by the taxpayer, the board of revision of taxes or the county commissioners, may not relieve the taxpayer from the payment of the twelve per cent penalty, but the estimated return shall be final, except in those cases in which a true and correct return shall reveal a higher assessed value than that contained in the estimated return, in which case the tax and penalty shall be based upon the true valuation.

(c) An assessment, as herein provided, may be made by the board of revision of taxes, or the county commissioners, at any time within five years after any property owned, held or possessed, or alleged to have been so owned, held or possessed, by any resident should have been returned by him for taxation, notwithstanding he shall have paid a tax assessed on the basis of returns previously made or filed, and notwithstanding the board of revision of taxes, or the county commissioners, shall have made previous assessments against such resident.  In any such case no credit shall be given for any penalty formerly assessed and paid.