The process you have to follow to file a property tax appeal depends on the laws of the jurisdiction in which the property is located. In most cases, however, you may start by having an independent appraisal done to determine if the tax assessment was indeed too high. Then, you may ask an appraiser to compile a report for use in your case. When you are ready to file, you will usually have to submit an appeal form, an appraisal report, and any other supporting documents to the tax appeal board or a similar government office in your jurisdiction.
Before you file a property tax appeal, you may perform some preliminary steps to figure out whether or not your assessment was on target. For example, if you think the tax value is significantly higher than it should be, you may contact or visit the local assessor and request tax records for your property. You may then seek the help of a residential appraiser in determining whether or not the assigned value is accurate or seems significantly off target. With the help of an appraiser, you can determine what you believe the value should be and make the decision to file a property tax appeal.
You may help an independent appraiser by being forthcoming with information about your property and the surrounding area. This may help him make his report as accurate as possible. For example, informing him of neighborhood issues or problems with the property may help him in his analysis. Even information about construction going on nearby may prove helpful. Additionally, a real estate broker may have vital information to share about your property or neighborhood; he may even provide information about the homes that are most comparable to your property.
When you’re ready to file a property tax appeal, you may usually do so with your local government. The process for accomplishing this may vary from place to place, but you will usually have to obtain a tax appeal form and submit it along with your supporting documents, such as your appraisal report and any other evidence you have collected. Most jurisdictions have deadlines for filing appeals, and you may do well to double-check your local deadline to be sure you will not miss it. After the required documents are filed, you will usually receive a hearing date on which a review board will consider your property tax appeal case.
