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Challenging Property Tax Assessments
An assessment on a piece of property serves as a valuable tool to help determine the amount of property tax that will be owed.
The first part of the year is when most property assessments take place. When mailed to the property owner, the statements are usually headed with “This is not a bill” in bold print. Unfortunately, this lessens the chance of the property owner seeing its importance, especially when it doesn’t require any action to take place.
The assessment usually has a deadline to be challenged. After that deadline, the property taxes are set for the year.
Correcting an assessment is simple and does not always need the services of a specialist. Discussing it with the assessor’s office is the first step. The phone call can take care of anything that needs to be clarified.
The local board appeal is the next step in order to hear disagreements. It is made up of local citizens. Both the assessor’s office and the taxpayer will have an opportunity to tell their reasons for the valuation.
It is wise for the property owner to have as much evidence as possible to support the claim. An excellent piece of data to have is an independent appraisal.
If you have, however, comparables of recent sales with documented facts to go along with each, that would be just as valuable.
If the property has deteriorated, it would be beneficial to take pictures to show its present condition.
If the house is significantly deteriorated or the prices have taken a general drop, this could adversely influence the value.
Not much consideration will go out by simply saying “ The property is too high,” or “You couldn’t sell it for that.” Neither will saying that “It was an unfair comparison,” or “It hasn’t been revalued lately.”
Whenever you need help getting comparable sales or information about making an appeal, call me. I’d gratefully help you out.
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