Contesting / Appealing Your Tax Assessment Part II (How to...)

Step 1 Prepare yourself to deal with a large, unorganized, debt-ridden, understaffed beaurocracy that knows nothing about customer service or satisfaction. They do not want this to be easy! 

1. As soon as you receive the statement of your new assessed value each year, you need to examine two areas. First, look closely at the assessed value. Does it seem too high to you? If so, the second thing you need to do is to carefully read the instructions for disputing your assessment. From the date you receive your green card, you have 30 days to appeal/contest by filing the necessary paperwork. If you moved during that time or fore some reason did not receive the green card, you may sign an affidavit and apply for an appeal.  Be sure to follow instructions carefully to have your request considered. You may be able to download forms in the future, but for now...they don't want to make anything easy on you! You'll have to visit the Pierce County Annex by the Tacoma Costco. It's easy, just enter and hang the first right...you'll run right into it!
   
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   Step 2
   Once you have read everything carefully, call a local real estate agent (Tom Tuttle from Tacoma, WA) and ask him to run an MLS list of all SALES in your neighborhood for the PAST 6 MONTHS. The properties should be as similar as yours as possible in age and size. You need to make sure your comparables are from the right year...so, if you are contesting your most recent assessment, then you'll need comparables from the previous year.
   
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   Step 3
   Look at the $/per square foot sales price for the houses that have recently sold. In other words, if a 2000 square foot house sold for $200,000, then it sold for $100 a square foot. Average the $/per square foot price for all the comparable sales that the Realtor provided for you. Multiply that amount times the square footage of your home. If your neighborhood homes have sold for $100 a square foot, and your home contains 1900 square feet, then your home should be appraised for about $190,000. There will be some variation, of course. Your home may have more or fewer bathrooms than the other homes. Your lot could be larger or smaller. Take these types of things into consideration. If it appears that the assessed value is correct, then plan to dispute the assessment. If not, drop the issue now. You are not going to be effective.
   
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   Step 4
   If you decide, based on your evidence, that your home has been appraised too high, then you need to appeal the assessment. Complete the forms that are required and mail them to the Assessor's Office with a copy of all your evidence ... even if they tell you NOT to include the evidence. I have done this in two states, and avoided having to attend a hearing. Both times, someone from the Assessor's Office called me and agreed to lower my assessment based on the evidence that I provided. Your evidence needs to be neatly organized. Some Realtors will help you with this, in the hope that you will use them to sell your home someday in the future. That's ME!
   
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   Step 5
   If you have to attend a hearing, take several copies of your evidence with you so each member of the committee has it to look at. Be sure that you have your facts straight. Often, the Assessor's Office has the wrong information about the square footage of your home, it's age, etc. Come prepared with evidence, such as the builder's plan, an appraisal, etc., which shows the correct information. State your case calmly and clearly. With adequate supporting data, a majority of people are able to have their own assessments reduced. AND be prepared to contest your next assessment the year after...as by the time the assessment is adjusted, they will have delivered your new one ;). 253-686-3992 me@tomtuttle.me