How to Contest Property Value
Many people get their property tax bills each year and pay them without a second thought as to how the amount due was decided. Property taxes are determined by a percentage of your property value. Your property value is decided through the local tax assessor's office. Successfully contesting your property's value can help you reduce your property tax payment.
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Instructions
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Carefully inspect your tax bill to be sure the address, square footage and other information is correct. If your actual square footage is 1,100 and the bill says it is 5,100 you are naturally going to have your property valued higher than it should be. Check all details pertaining to the property on that tax bill and alert officials of any discrepancies.
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Check the reported value of other properties in the same geographic area. This information is public and can be obtained through the local or county tax assessor's office. Determine which properties are similar to yours in size and other features and then compare those values to the assessment of your property. If there is a difference, take it to the tax assessor's office and request an appeal. When you file your appeal, you will be given an appeal date. The appeal forms can be found at the tax assessor's office or in some cases online at the tax assessor website.
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Gather all documents to use in the appeal. Take pictures of your property and neighboring properties. Get copies from the tax office of all neighboring property values and attach them to the photos of corresponding properties.
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Appear before the appeals board on time, dressed professionally and prepared with your documents. Speak clearly, slowly and confidently. Explain why you believe your property value is incorrect. Hand out the copies of your information and ask the board members to reconsider.
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Explain how the current value affects your life/business and finish with a short summary of your evidence and request to re-assess the value of your property. You will then have to wait for the decision, which will be mailed to you shortly after the appeal process.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your information short, simple and clear to make it easier for the appeal board members to follow.
Keep everything in a folder so that you have easy access to it when the time comes.
Do not wait to file an appeal. There are time limits. Check with your local city and county to find out the deadline for filing.
