If you just recently got astonished when you opened your North Logan property tax assessment notice, you’re not alone. It is not uncommon for property owners to see big increases in their property tax bills on the grounds of home value increases, boundary shifts, and other changes. The excellent news is there are things you can do in relation to an unfair property assessment increase. If the increase is quite a major one, this may give you a valid consideration for objecting to it, definitely if it seems out of line with other properties in your area.
Though objecting to a property assessment increase may seem dismaying and nerve-racking, it’s more common than you expect. Nearly 20% to 40% of property owners can successfully lower their property tax bills by objecting to their property assessment, successfully saving a lot of money in the process. In the next paragraphs, we’ll speak about how to object to a property assessment increase and most likely taper down your property tax bill for the succeeding year.
Step 1: Gather Evidence
If you deem your tax assessment has increased by mistake, your initial move will be to contact your tax assessor and have them explain how they determined your property’s value. The increase may be brought about by something as simple as an assessor inputting the incorrect square footage or the wrong number of bedrooms for your property. If the cause behind the increase isn’t really that evident at the outset, you will need to conduct more inquiries and research. It would help if you tried to spot a few comparable properties that just recently sold in your location. If they sold for a lot less than your property assessment, that can thus be solid grounds for your objection. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations.
Step 2: Look Up the Appeals Process
Objecting to a property assessment may look somewhat different from county to county. Exactly why, you’ll need to be careful to look up the appeals procedure for your certain location. Generally, you can learn this information on the county website or the tax assessor’s website. You may be able to download the forms needed to file an appeal from their sites. Pay particular attention to dates or timeframes. You have to file an appeal within 90 days in a lot of places, but take note that that sometimes it goes as low as 30 days in other counties. Also remember, various locations accept appeals within a very definite window of time. To see to it you are using your time efficiently and to increase your chances of success, be sure to follow the procedure exactly as it is written.
Step 3: File and Argue Your Case
When you have the documents prepared and have included your evidence, it’s time to file your appeal with the county. Again, make certain to follow the process as outlined on the county or tax assessor’s website. You may need to pay a small filing fee; ensure to do so over in using an approved method. You should then be provided with a notification once a hearing on your appeal has been scheduled. Be certain to attend the hearing, or if you can’t go in person, have a representative go in your place. Your appeal won’t be considered if you don’t show up for the hearing. Don’t forget to bring any required documents and copies; you’ll have your chance to argue your case and, if indeed successful, have your property assessment adjusted to more accurately reflect the current value.
Objecting to your property assessment increase can actually help rental property owners keep their expenses under control. Though it does take time, and there are many steps involved that you need to know and follow precisely to increase your chances of success. If you’d wish to have North Logan property management professionals by your side to get you on the right track to maximizing your rental income, call Real Property Management Cache Valley. We offer a lot of valuable services to rental property owners like you that can help you keep your costs down and the rental income regularly flowing in. Contact us online or call 435-753-5200 today!
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