It is very important to ask the tax assessor what homes they will use to compare yours to. You need to do this since they are looking to set you up and use those comparable choices against you. You'll need to poke holes into their argument and show false values they may attach to those comparables. Introduce your more favorable comparable and shed a more logical light using principles found in our resource and it becomes a slam dunk.
Sometimes the tax assessor might not give you the information you have requested. If so, make or fax a written appeal to the appraisal district and get that information by way of the Freedom of Information Act. Appealing your taxes is adversarial and you need to know what information the other side is using.
Use photos to prove your point. Show how the tax assessors chosen comparable is not similar to yours and how the comparables you choose are comparable. Make any adjustments you need to make for differences in location, sq. ft. size differences, condition, age of the home or similar type adjustments
When choosing your comparables, look for ones that are similar, most importantly, in location. It should be in a similar neighborhood as yours. This location factor is vital and one of the main reasons that your comparable or the assessors comparable is or is not appropriate.
Focus on other similar features such as number of bedrooms, baths, quality and style of home, number of garages and make adjustments accordingly. The tax assessor will likely cherry pick the more expensive homes and they may have dissimilar features that you'll need to address in your analysis.
Adjust for any difference in square footage, number of garages, etc. Make additions or subtractions to each of the comparables you have chosen for differences.
When you have all this information assembled, first speak to your tax assessor and ask for a reduction based on your findings. Likely, they will not go along with your conclusion since they perceive their job as to preserve the aggregate tax base. They are there to make sure that there is money for the town government to spend. If you don't get satisfaction, appeal to the municipal level.
By winning a property tax appeal, you'll not only save on this years taxes, but that same reduced assessment will carry on until the next blanket reassessment. A future blanket reassessment of your community may be not forthcoming for another 10 or more years. Unjust property tax valuations need to be appealed.
Sometimes the tax assessor might not give you the information you have requested. If so, make or fax a written appeal to the appraisal district and get that information by way of the Freedom of Information Act. Appealing your taxes is adversarial and you need to know what information the other side is using.
Use photos to prove your point. Show how the tax assessors chosen comparable is not similar to yours and how the comparables you choose are comparable. Make any adjustments you need to make for differences in location, sq. ft. size differences, condition, age of the home or similar type adjustments
When choosing your comparables, look for ones that are similar, most importantly, in location. It should be in a similar neighborhood as yours. This location factor is vital and one of the main reasons that your comparable or the assessors comparable is or is not appropriate.
Focus on other similar features such as number of bedrooms, baths, quality and style of home, number of garages and make adjustments accordingly. The tax assessor will likely cherry pick the more expensive homes and they may have dissimilar features that you'll need to address in your analysis.
Adjust for any difference in square footage, number of garages, etc. Make additions or subtractions to each of the comparables you have chosen for differences.
When you have all this information assembled, first speak to your tax assessor and ask for a reduction based on your findings. Likely, they will not go along with your conclusion since they perceive their job as to preserve the aggregate tax base. They are there to make sure that there is money for the town government to spend. If you don't get satisfaction, appeal to the municipal level.
By winning a property tax appeal, you'll not only save on this years taxes, but that same reduced assessment will carry on until the next blanket reassessment. A future blanket reassessment of your community may be not forthcoming for another 10 or more years. Unjust property tax valuations need to be appealed.
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Find comparable homesand entered your adjustment figures against the amenities your home enjoys or lacks, you will have arrived at the actual real value of your house. Our resource gives easy to use forms and allows for a crystal clear conclusion. Get Property Tax Assessment Help