Dunnan on Dollars

  Personal Finance Tips from Nancy Dunnan

Property Taxes
Fighting Back

 - continued from page 1 -

A Formal Hearing

On the other hand, if you decide to move ahead, you will be required to appear before a review board. These boards usually consists of three to five people -- either appointed or elected.

At this point, many property owners, if their jurisdiction permits it, decide to hire a licensed appraiser or a property tax attorney to continue on with the appeal and represent them. Some charge on a contingency basis -- that is, they take a percentage of the savings if they are successful in lowering the assessment. Others charge a flat fee or by the hour. Find out before agreeing to a deal.

If, on the other hand, you decide to represent yourself, before making an appearance...

Step 8.  Attend several hearings.  Your are much more likely to win your case if you are familiar with local procedures and cast of characters. Sitting in on other grievants' hearings is the best way to learn what works, what does not. Pay attention to the types of presentations given by individual property owners and by competent professionals. How long do they speak? What visuals are effective?

Step 9. After observing several hearings, file the appropriate papers by certified mail so you have proof of the date when received.

Make enough copies of your case, including pictures and maps, for each member of the review board.

Present your case as professionally as possible. Tempting as it may be, don't rant and rave. Don't throw a pissy fit. Ticking off the appeals board is not the way to win the battle.

In most cases, the board does not make a decision on the spot. Whatever the outcome, the board will pass it on to the assessor. If your town does not inform the grievant by mail, check back with the assessor's office.

$Tip: If your appeal is denied, you may be able to present your case   to a state board of review for an impartial opinion. In most states, the assessor is required to give you the appeal form and advise you      regarding the exact filing deadline.

Bottom Line: If your appeal is unsuccessful, keep in mind that you can always come back same time next year. And when you do, you'll have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

For More Information

"How to Fight Property Taxes" published by the National Taxpayers Union, is available at many public libraries. Or log on to: www.ntu.org. It costs $6.95.

Personal Exemptions

Local jurisdictions also grant property tax exemptions or refunds for certain individuals. Check with your assessor. Among the most common are:

Blind persons

Disabled veterans living in special housing

Low income people (a.k.a. hardship cases)

Physically disabled or handicapped

Senior citizens

Veterans

Widows of veterans

- Nancy Dunnan

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If you want to suggest a column topic for Nancy, drop her a line.

Like what Nancy has to say? you might be interested in the new edition of her book:
How To Invest $50 To $5,000: The Small Investor's Step By Step Plan for Low-Risk, High-Value Investing