Maybe you have a few questions. Here is a quick collection of some of the questions people ask us… along with our answers. If you still have a question, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to answer it for you.
Generally, the tax appeal process can take between 1 to 4 months and if we have to take it all the way to the Appeals Board, then it can take several months longer. It also depends on at what point during the filing period that the appeal is submitted. The sooner it is submitted, the quicker the results.
If you receive a reduction before the next year’s tax bill is calculated, then the new reduced amount will most likely pass through to the next year. However, this is not a permanent reduction and the county assessor can review it each subsequent year and adjust it to current market values. But the assessor is bound by law to only increase it according to market value.
We only charge a fee if we successfully reduce your taxes. There are no up front or hidden fees and if the appeal does not result in a reduction of your taxes, then it does not cost you one penny.
We pull information from public records on properties we believe are entitled to a tax reduction based on certain criteria. We then contact the owner by letter, telephone and/or email to offer our assistance.
For a Prop 8 reduction in value, the appeal must be filed by the deadline for the current tax period. Once the deadline has passed, you cannot file for previous years for this type of reduction.
You can file the appeal yourself but most property owners find that they are not equipped to go up against the county assessor. The burden of proof falls on the property owner to prove there is a decline with evidence. A successful appeal depends on the quality of your evidence and the way it is put together and presented. We spend thousands of dollars for access to quality data that most property owners do not have access to.
Most property owners have never prepared an appraisal or argued an appeal and find themselves overwhelmed at the hearing when they are going up against the professional appraisers from the county assessor. We have many years of expertise at putting together a winning case and effectively challenging the assessor. We have met owners at the Appeals Board who have hired us on the spot on the day of their hearing.
The county cannot raise your taxes above the proposition 13 base year value. This is the value that was assessed when you purchased your property plus the 2% increases each year.
Contact Property Tax Associates by phone or email and a representative will discuss your appeal in more detail and send the paperwork out to you to be signed. Once we receive the paperwork back, then we will prepare all documents to file and submit your appeal. We will keep you informed throughout the entire process until you receive your refund/reduction.
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For A Free Market Analysis and Evaluation of your Property, Call (800) 252-3544 Or Click Below To Get Started