Next steps: The Hearing Process
In some counties, it is possible to get a discount on your property taxes based on an application you file online or in person. There is no informal hearing process, and you would only attend a hearing if you object to the initial decision on your appeal.
In other areas, however, hearings are required to complete your appeal application. You file your appeal form along with your evidence, and the local government schedules a hearing to follow up. Before you submit your application, you may want to check the assessor’s website to familiarize yourselves with the entire appeal process in your district. If you live in an area where informal hearings are a requirement, this article is for you.
These hearings are usually held for you to present your evidence in person. There are a few things you can do beforehand to be better prepared for these hearings, which would increase your chance of getting tax savings.
Make sure you come prepared with appropriate evidence to receive a settlement offer. Please note that simple pleas such as “my taxes are too high!” or “home valuations in my neighborhood haven’t changed but my valuation is 5% higher” are unsupported claims that will not help your case. Instead, a well-documented evidence package that shows the details on comparable properties would start a fact-based discussion that is more likely to favor your case. You may download your comparables report with all the necessary data and guidance you would need to present your case via Zappeal .
Come prepared with a copy of your evidence and explain the basis for your request in an organized way. The assessor will compare the evidence you present to the available information on the county database. Make sure to explain why the evidence you present is suitable for your property. Any additional materials you can provide (e.g. photos that demonstrate your property’s claimed condition) would strengthen your case and make it easier for the assessor to adjust your valuation. Based on this discussion, the assessor will likely make an offer to settle your case.
You may accept the new assessment value if you are happy with the given offer during the informal hearing. Settling the appeal application at this stage is the fastest way to solve your case. However, you have the option to reject this offer which will allow you to proceed to the formal hearing stage of the process. The formal hearing process is a longer, more detailed discussion where you rebuttal and present your evidence to an assessment review board. The decision from this board is final for the given tax year.
A final note: some homeowners assume that they need to hire a lawyer to appeal their cases, but that’s not the case. As long as you do your research well, you as a homeowner are more than capable to present your case without giving up a significant chunk of your savings to third party services! Zappeal provides a cheap and fast way for you to gather the best evidence so you maximize your savings while minimizing time spent on your tax appeal.
