Protesting Your Property Taxes

Protesting property taxes is an important process for property owners, because it can help ensure that the property is assessed fairly and that you are not overpaying taxes. By protesting taxes, you may be able to reduce the assessed value of your property, which in turn can lower your annual property tax bill. This can be especially important if you believe the assessed value does not accurately reflect the market value of your property.

Here's how you can go about protesting property taxes:

Review Your Property Assessment: Start by reviewing the property assessment notice you receive from your local tax assessor's office. Check the assessed value and compare it to recent sales of similar properties in your area. (We can help you gather comparables)
Gather Evidence: Collect evidence that supports your claim that the assessed value is too high. This could include damage to the home (include pictures) or errors in the assessment.
Understand the Deadlines: Each jurisdiction has specific deadlines for filing a tax protest. Make sure you know the deadlines in your area and submit your protest on time.
File a Protest: Follow the procedures outlined by your local tax assessor's office to file a protest. This typically involves submitting a formal written appeal, often using a specific form provided by the assessor's office.
Attend a Hearing: Many jurisdictions offer a hearing process where you can present your case in person. Be prepared to present your evidence and explain why you believe the assessment is incorrect.
Contact Your Local Realtor for a Complimentary CMA: If you're not comfortable handling the protest process on your own, or if you have a substantial amount of property, consider contacting your local realtor. At the Allan Home Group we can provide you with a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help support your case.