Challenging an excessive property tax assessment

When the tax office has it wrong

Increasing property value is a two-edged sword. Most people enjoy knowing their property value is appreciating. On the other hand, they don’t particularly care for the resulting property tax increases.

This is particularly true if a real estate appraisal district computer system contains erroneous information about your real estate that may result in an excessive assessment and inappropriate property taxes. Examples would be a living area or site area entry in the computer larger than actual size. An appraisal would be needed to correct this situation.

Handling unfair property tax assessments can be better described as an “art” instead of a science. The good news is that a “property-specific” appraisal is better evidence of market value for your property than a generalized computer estimate based on mass appraising techniques.

Our integrity is unsurpassed among government tax authorities; they know we won’t waste their time. Because outside agencies increasingly scrutinize property tax officials, they expect well-documented, hard evidence to substantiate any value changes.

Why assessments go wrong

This fact is compounded by complicated bureaucratic procedures and heavy caseloads, which increase the likelihood of an inaccurate assessment. It makes good business sense to constantly monitor and control property taxes on an annual and ongoing basis.

• Since tax appraisers rarely see the interior of homes, they often over-estimate the living area of two-story homes with open areas on the second level.
• Site size, home living area, condition, and location are all important factors the tax office may not have right.
• If your home has physical problems, its condition may be far below average — and the tax office may not know about the situation.
• Since property taxes must be based on no more than 100% fair market value, an appraisal could be beneficial in showing tax authorities that your home needs special attention.

Remember, a professional real estate appraisal is an independent, objective opinion of market value based on actual physical conditions. A modest investment in an appraisal could save thousands in the years to come. If you have been over-taxed unjustly for years, an appraisal could help you recover some of your past over-payments.