How to Appeal Property Tax Value

Property tax values continue to rise as home prices plummet.  It is costing the tax payer more in taxes for a home with less value.  Most people do not think to appeal their property tax value even though it can save them thousands of dollars per year.  Here are a few tips that will help you to decide whether or not to appeal.

• Assess your assessment process. Find out how often assessments are done in your area and how property values are calculated.  Some areas determine property values by the cost of recently sold homes in the area while others used different methods of assessment.


• Ask your assessment office for your home's worksheet.  This may also be called the working papers or your home's property card.  This will list the dimensions of your home as well as any upgrades and additional features that they have.  Look for errors in this document.  Ensure that your home directly corresponds to what they have listed.  If you have a carport and it list a two car garage that will impact the value of your home. You will be able to provide pictures to challenge the discrepancy.


• Pull the worksheets on comparable properties in your area.  These records are public knowledge and you may be able to find the information on the Internet depending on whether or not your tax office has a website.  Compare the tax bills of these properties to yours and look to see what the differences are in your properties.  Pull at least five records to make your comparison.


• Research and find all of the exemptions that you are entitled to.  Certain states will allow homeowners who occupy their home to file for a homestead credit or exemption, other states offer discounts to seniors or those who are disabled.  Fill out and file whatever paperwork is required by your tax office to get these exemptions.


• Put your information together listing all of the reasons that you think your property tax assessment is out of line with the other assessments in your area.  Have hard facts and not just your gut feelings.  Have numbers, pictures and other evidence to back you up.  Only approximately 40 percent of the people that appeal their assessments win because they do not come prepared to defend their case. Never forget the more money the county collects in taxes the more they have to fill the shortfalls in their budget, it is not in their best interest to agree with you.