Park Meadows Blog

Property Taxes Seem High? Fight Back -

If property taxes seem unusually high on a property, look for ways to trim them.

If property taxes seem unusually high on a property, look for ways to trim them.

Here are three things that could lead to a change in an assessment:

·                                 Find a mistake. The American Homeowners Association estimates 60 percent of homes are assessed too high, so it pays to scrutinize an assessment line by line. Check first whether the basics are right — correct number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, basement, etc. Then look for other considerations like poor condition, differing design from others in the neighborhood, a shared driveway — anything that might persuade the tax office that the house is over assessed.

·                                 Compare the house to the neighbors. Property data information is a public record. Make sure the house is in line.

·                                 Prepare to argue. Few homeowners fight back, but 70 percent of those who find an error do walk away with a lower tax bill, according to the AHA. The organization advises going directly to the assessor with evidence the bill is wrong. Errors in the property description are the most persuasive, although judgment errors in comparing one property to its neighbors’ also can be fodder for a reduction. If the assessor doesn’t agree, ask for a formal hearing. Hiring legal help can help, but it can also wipe out any tax savings.

Source: Money (10/01/06)