Every year, the Assessor’s Office prepares a preliminary assessment roll. This reflects property values as of January 1 each year. Open Book Review Period is set aside to answer questions posed by property owners and to correct obvious clerical errors that were made in compiling the assessment roll.
If an error was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is different than the actual fair market valueThe amount a typical, well-informed purchaser would be willing to pay for a property. For a sale to represent market value, the seller must be willing (but not under pressure) to sell and the buyer must be willing (but not under any obligation) to buy. The property must be on the market for a reasonable length of time, the payment… of property, the Assessor’s Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments. The best evidence of value is a recent arm’s length sale of the property or sales of comparable properties.
Questions? Contact the Assessor’s Office.
Comparing Assessments
You can research property assessment and tax data. Available information includes property address, legal description, sales information, as well as details about physical characteristics.
Owners who disagree with their assessment should personally discuss it with the neighborhood appraiser. If an error was made, or if there is evidence that the assessment is more than the actual fair market valueThe amount a typical, well-informed purchaser would be willing to pay for a property. For a sale to represent market value, the seller must be willing (but not under pressure) to sell and the buyer must be willing (but not under any obligation) to buy. The property must be on the market for a reasonable length of time, the payment… of property, the Assessor’s Office will review the facts and may make appropriate adjustments.
Formal Objections
After talking with the Assessor’s Office, owners who still feel that the value of property is overstated may file formal written objections to the Board of Review (BOR). Objections must be submitted to the City Clerk on forms that are available in the City Clerk’s Office or on-line.
Formal objections may proceed to a formal hearing before the Board of Review. Similar to a court, the Board of Review has the responsibility for resolving differences of opinion of valuation. The Board hears oral testimony and evidence presented by the property owner and the Assessor’s staff. After hearing the evidence, the Board may lower, raise, or sustain the assessment.
For additional information on procedures, please view the Department of Revenue’s guide for property owners.
To start the formal objection process, File an Appeal.