Property Tax Appeal Questions

The people who keep records report that less than 2% appeal their property taxes. Most don't bother. I've sold hundreds of ebooks over the last couple years and thousands have been helped by the information contained within the website. Initially I thought there would be an avalanche of interest. That's not the case. Hopefully I encouraged many to challenge sloppy assessments and pay only for their fair share of the tax burden.

The tax jargon throws a few curve balls that reduce understanding. Complacency is further increased if one elects to go the professional route. An appraiser will charge up to $300 for the appraisal and perhaps $500 for spending a day waiting to make his presentation in municipal court. The added cost of an attorney to represent you in court ...pull a figure out of the air.

The average Joe needs a property tax coach that works for him - thus the inexpensive ebook "How to Win Property Tax Appeals." One is lead by the hand to present an appeal that makes sound appraisal sense to the municipal authorities. Although it's 150 pages long, one needs only apply those areas specific to their individual tax appeal. Ample forms and examples are provided.

Gather comparable evidence. House value documented evidence and backup for your home value conclusion.

Tricks politicians use to raise taxes

Recently commissioners in New York were handed an unwarranted 30 percent tax increase by the former officials, who also got a vast increase in property tax assessments and then bragged about lowering the mil rate. The creative math they use to hoodwink their followers is deplorable.

Out of control school costs, school pensions that are holding voters hostage, are a huge issue every year. George A. Herman from Conewago Township suggested "The problem of fair and equitable funding for education will not be resolved until it is completely separated from the property tax. This is long overdue. All the hare-brained schemes, such as “Act 50” and the “slots” bill are only a smoke screen for legislative incompetence and do nothing to alleviate the school property tax burden. The elimination of property taxes for school funding should be tacked onto the next legislative pay raise. It will be sure to pass."

When anyone who owns a house receives their yearly property tax assessment, most have no clue on what they can do about it. If it is fair. How the figures jive with what the actual market value of their home. And most important, what they can do about appealing their property taxes if they are out of line.

Consumer Reports has published that property tax records show an error rate of 40% exists in estimating property taxes. (Nov.1992 v57 nil p.723) The National Taxpayers Union writes that as many as 60% of all homeowners are over-assessed and not in line with their home value. ("How To Fight Property Taxes" 2004 p.1)

The service provided by our web site is a must have for anyone who owns a home and who wants to reduce their property taxes or do an accurate home appraisal. The accepted valuation categories used by professional home appraisers and shares strategies to win a topnotch prepared appeal are delineated and explained in full using easy to understand examples and speech.

If your instincts tell you that you have been paying too much in property taxes, you will be shown specifically whether you are. The customer is offered everything they need to know to compile a persuasive property tax appeal. They will be shown HOW using examples and providing all the necessary forms. Tax reduction, land or home, is made clear and easy to implement.

Example of Valuation Categories Emphasized: Price/Gross Living Space, Sales or Financing Concessions, Date of Sale, Location, Types of Lots, Leasehold/Fee Simple, Site, Land Valuation Tables, Slope, Additional Site Criteria, Environmental Factors, Toxic and Environmental Contaminants, View, Design and Appeal, Various House Descriptions Categories, Quality of Construction, Age, Condition, Check List of Repair Items, Above Grade Room Count, Gross Living Area, Basement and Finished Rooms Below Grade, Functional Utility, Minimum Standards for Room Size, Heating and Cooling, Special Energy-Efficient Items, Garage/Carport, Porches, Patio, Deck, Fireplaces(s), Etc., Fence, Pool, Etc., Net Adjustments, Adjusted Sales Price of Comparables and the Final Indicated Value of Subject explained in full. Fill in the blank home appraisal forms make the process simple for anyone to use.

Whoever uses this service makes sense of the process and unlocks the mystery to the maximum property tax refund due to them. It reveals whether they have a case to effect a property tax refund and leads them through the process of organizing a successful property tax appeal.

What about commercial tax appeals?

We do not council on commercial tax appeals. However, commercial property uses a different method for the determination of value, namely the income method. Normally you would need an attorney to represent you as well as a certified appraisal that uses the income method for determining the commercial value of your subject property.

Since most commercial properties are controled by corporations, most municipalities will not let you represent the company citing that stipulation "you're practicing law without a license." Talk about nonsense bureaucracy that can cost a business owner big and is a contributing factor in small businesses not appealing their taxes.

Property management companies and property tax appeal consultants specializing in commercial property can do this process but they step up the price to you considerably. Watch those contingencies in the contract.

The case hinges on the appraiser's work and findings. So the economical way is to find your own appraiser and locate a bargain attorney who'll go along for the ride.