How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment (and Win)
Each year, your local municipality assesses the value of your home to determine your property tax bill. If you believe your home has been over-assessed, you have the right to appeal. A successful appeal can lower your property tax bill, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
While the process can seem intimidating, it’s a straightforward procedure if you are prepared. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to appeal your property tax assessment.
Step 1: Understand Your Assessment Notice
When you receive your assessment notice, review it carefully. It will list your property’s assessed value. The first thing to do is check it for any factual errors. Does it list the correct number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Is the square footage correct? A simple clerical error can be the easiest way to win an appeal.
Step 2: Determine if You Have a Case
If the facts are correct, you need to determine if the assessed value is fair compared to the market. You need to show that your home is assessed for more than it is actually worth, or that it is assessed for more than similar properties in your neighborhood.
Step 3: Gather Your Evidence
This is the most critical step. A successful appeal requires strong evidence. You will need to build a case with at least one of the following:
- Comparable Sales (“Comps”): Find at least 3-5 recent sales of homes in your neighborhood that are very similar to yours but sold for less than your assessed value. Your local real estate agent can be a great resource for this data.
- Photos of Your Property: Take photos that show any issues with your home that could lower its value, such as a leaky roof, a cracked foundation, or a severely outdated kitchen.
- A Professional Appraisal: For the strongest case, you can hire a licensed appraiser to provide an independent valuation of your property.
Step 4: Contact the Assessor’s Office
Before filing a formal appeal, try contacting your local assessor’s office for an informal review. Present your evidence clearly and politely. They may be willing to adjust your assessment on the spot without a formal hearing.
Step 5: File a Formal Appeal
If the informal review is unsuccessful, you will need to file a formal appeal with your local appeals board. Pay close attention to the filing deadline, as it is usually very strict. Your appeal form will require you to state why you believe your assessment is incorrect and include copies of your evidence.
How Domidocs Helps You Build Your Case
A successful property tax appeal is built on strong documentation and organization. Domidocs is the perfect tool to prepare your appeal.
1. A Central Hub for Your Evidence
Use your Domidocs secure vault to create a dedicated folder for your appeal. You can upload and organize all your evidence in one place: photos of your home, PDF copies of comparable sales data, your professional appraisal report, and past assessment notices. This ensures nothing gets lost and everything is ready to present.
2. Track Your Home’s Value Year-Round
The Domidocs Home Equity and Value Tracker helps you monitor your home’s estimated market value throughout the year. This gives you a consistent data point to compare against your official assessment, helping you spot potential discrepancies early.
3. Store Your Success for Future Reference
If your appeal is successful, be sure to save the official decision letter and the revised tax bill in your Domidocs vault. This creates a permanent record of the adjustment, which can be useful for future assessments and as part of your home’s financial history.
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