Lower Your Property Taxes

Homeowners who successfully appeal their property tax assessments typically save between $1,000 and $5,000 annually. The exact savings depend on your property's assessed value, your local tax rate, and the strength of your appeal. Some property owners with high-value properties or significant over-assessments have saved $10,000 or more per year.

Most states have strict deadlines for filing property tax appeals, typically within 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice. It's crucial to act quickly. Even if you miss the formal appeal deadline, some jurisdictions allow informal reviews or adjustments. Check your local assessor's website or contact a property tax attorney immediately upon receiving your assessment.

No, you can file a property tax appeal on your own using comparable sales data and documentation. However, hiring a property tax attorney or consultant can significantly increase your chances of success. Most work on contingency (typically 30-50% of your first year's savings), so you only pay if they win. For properties valued over $500,000 or complex cases, professional help is often worth the investment.

Strong appeals typically include: (1) recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area that sold for less than your assessment, (2) photos documenting property defects or needed repairs, (3) independent appraisals, (4) evidence of declining property values in your neighborhood, and (5) documentation of any errors in your property's records (square footage, lot size, etc.). The more evidence you provide, the stronger your case.

The timeline varies by jurisdiction. Informal reviews with your assessor may take 2-4 weeks. Formal appeals to a review board typically take 2-6 months. If you need to pursue further appeals to state-level boards or courts, the process can extend to 6-12 months or longer. However, many successful appeals are resolved within 3-4 months.

In most states, your property tax assessment cannot be increased as a result of your appeal - it can only stay the same or be reduced. However, a handful of states do allow assessors to raise your assessment if they discover errors during their review. Check your state's laws or consult a local property tax professional to understand the risks in your area.

In most jurisdictions, you can appeal your property tax assessment every year. However, it's most effective to appeal when: (1) you receive a significant increase in your assessment, (2) property values in your area have declined, (3) your home has damage or needed repairs, or (4) you find comparable properties assessed at lower values. Annual appeals may not be necessary if your assessment is fair.

Success rates vary widely by location and case strength. Nationally, approximately 30-50% of property tax appeals result in reduced assessments. Working with a property tax professional typically increases your chances of success to 60-80% for strong cases. The key is having solid comparable sales data and evidence of over-assessment.