1. Want to Lower Your Property Tax Bill? These Tips Might Help…

    Think you’re paying too much property tax? You might be able to get it reduced. Property tax laws are state-specific, so you’ll need to check with a local attorney to get details of your state’s appeal process, but here are some general guidelines on getting your tax assessment adjusted:

    1. File your appeal on time. Although dates vary, most states have hard deadlines for appealing property taxes. As the lawyers at Cole Schotz put it: “The process of ensuring that you are only paying your fair share of taxes can, however, only be initiated with the filing of a timely tax appeal.” (The Passing of the Holiday Season Signals That Property Tax Appeal Season is Upon Us) 

    2. Make sure you’re paid up. “To preserve their rights of appeal, owners may want to ensure all outstanding real estate taxes are paid,” writes law firm Duane Morris. “If taxes are in arrears, most assessors are unlikely to be willing to discuss a reduction and may bar any future appeal.” (Property Tax Appeals May Help Take the Sting out of Double-digit Vacancy Rates in New Jersey) 

    3. Back up your claims. Merely telling authorities that your property value has declined is not sufficient to obtain a tax reduction. You must provide solid evidence. “The evidence must be sufficient to determine the value of the property thereby establishing the existence of a debatable question as to the correctness of the assessment. The burden of proof remains on the taxpayer throughout the entire case to demonstrate that the judgment under review was incorrect.” (Frank Brunetti in Is the Sale Price of a Residence Determinative of Its True Value for purposes of Real Property Tax Assessments?) 

    4. Be prepared for a difficult fight. According to law firm Sands Anderson, “tax assessment cases have always been difficult for taxpayers to win. Some form of manifest error must be shown, the taxpayer bears the burden of proof, and a mere difference of opinion is insufficient to prevail. The law in this regard has mostly been well-settled.” (Tax Assessment Appeals Affected — How Much?) 

    5. Unhappy with the result? You might be able to appeal the appeal. Some states allow property owners to appeal an unfavorable review of their property assessment. But, writes lawyer Gene Abercrombie, “such an appeal is a much more complicated and costly process and only advisable where the appraised value by the County Auditor significantly deviates from the actual fair market value of the property.” (Challenging the Appraised Value of Your Property for Real Estate Taxation – Ohio) 

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    For further information:

    • New Changes to the NC Property Tax Appeal Process (Nexsen Pruet, PLLC) 

    • The Passing of the Holiday Season Signals That Property Tax Appeal Season is Upon Us (Cole Schotz) 

    • Property Valuation Alert: Board of Assessment Appeals Petitions Due February 17 & 21 (Pullman & Comley, LLC) 

    • Allegheny County Reassessment Update (Lisa Liptak) 

    • Declining Real Estate? Appeal Your Tax Bill (Todd McMurtry) 

    • Challenging New York City Real Property Taxes (Akerman Senterfitt) 

    • It’s Not Too Late to Appeal Your Commercial or Industrial Property Taxes for 2011 (Warner Norcross & Judd) 

    • Thirteen NC Counties Set to Revalue in 2012 (Poyner Spruill LLP) 

    • Pennsylvania Lowers Philadelphia CLR (Fox Rothschild) 

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