Property taxes are one of the biggest expenses homeowners face each year, so it’s worth learning if you're being overcharged. A tax assessment appeal lets you challenge the official home value, which is what your taxes are based on. The guide below explains the process and its benefits.

What Is a Tax Assessment Appeal?

Each year, homeowners are sent a letter by their tax assessor's office, updating them as to their home's purported value. After receiving this letter, you have a window of time to challenge their assessment. The exact deadline varies by city or county, but it should be at least 30 days.

What Are Some Signs You Should Appeal?

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation estimates that 30% to 60% of homes are overvalued for tax purposes. To win an appeal, you have to prove that your local tax assessor is wrong about the value of your home. Therefore, look for inaccuracies in their report—for example, the paperwork may list a higher square footage or more bedrooms than you have. You might also get a lower estimate if you recently purchased the house for less than its reported value or if comparisons were drawn to very different properties.

How Do I Make an Appeal?

Step one is to find an issue with their assessment. Besides checking their description of the property, contact an appraiser of your own to assess the market value. You will then send a letter with the evidence to the tax assessor's office for review. If they deny it, you can resubmit it and ask them to take another look at your case. If you are denied again, the last level of appeals is to take the issue to the local Board of Commissioners for a final decision.

If you'd like to make a tax assessment appeal and need a professional appraisal of your home, call Concept Appraisal Services in Littleton, CO. Serving Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, they utilize their 16 years of experience to produce accurate and reliable reports. Learn more about how they can help you with the process by visiting their website. To get started, call (303) 506-6254.