If there’s a silver lining to falling home prices, it’s that your property tax bill will shrink, too, right? Well, maybe. In fact, more than half of all U.S. properties may be assessed at more than their current value, according to the National Taxpayers Union, because some local governments wait years to re-evaluate properties.
If you suspect that your assessed value is too high, do something about it. Plenty of property owners challenge their assessments each year, and between 20% and 40% of them win lower assessments . . . and lower property tax bills, says Pete Sepp of the NTU. One Kiplinger reader expects to save $4,000 on his next tax bill, thanks to his appeal. The following steps will show you the way to success.

By Lisa Gerstner
March 2011

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

7 Steps to Lower Your Property Tax Bill

Schedules vary, but local governments commonly send assessment notices to homeowners in the first few months of the year. As soon as you get yours – or even before -- check the deadline for challenging the value. You may have just a few weeks. And be sure you know how your locality assesses property. Some set the tax assessment at a percentage of market value – 80%, for example -- so don’t be smug if you get a $90,000 assessment on a home you think is worth at least $100,000.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 1: Know the Rules

When you get your property tax bill, check it for your tax rate, assessment figures and payment schedule, and make sure that you’re getting the tax breaks you deserve. Some states allow anyone who owns and lives in a primary home to shield a portion of its value from taxation, or you may be eligible for credits based on your income or status as a senior citizen, veteran or disabled person. (Contact your state’s department of taxation or visit its Web site to see what breaks are available to you.)

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 2: Catch a Break

Check your property’s record card, which you’ll find at your assessor’s office or possibly on its Web site. This is the official description of your house, and if you see an outright error – indicating four bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms for your two-bedroom bungalow, for example -- the assessor may fix the problem on the spot, reduce the assessed value . . . and your tax bill. That’ll save you the trouble of a formal appeal.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 3: Set the Record Straight

We’d never tell you to keep up with the Joneses, but comparing your property to similar ones in your neighborhood will determine whether you have a solid case. Pull up property cards of several homes of similar age and square footage and with the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms to see how their assessments line up with yours.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 4: Size Up the Neighbors

If you find that your assessed value is considerably higher than several similar homes, you may have grounds for appeal. But even if the assessment falls into the middle of the pack, it’s not necessarily fair. Maybe your house has a leaky basement or lousy grading that doesn’t allow you to have a garden. The assessment should be based on the market value of your home; if your place has issues that would turn off buyers, now’s the time to own up to them.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 5: Build Your Case

The process varies by locality, but you’ll likely send your appeal and your evidence—data on comparable properties, blueprints, photographs, repair estimates—to the assessor for review. You should get a verdict within a couple of months. If you’re dissatisfied, take your case to the appeals board and put your persuasive skills to work. Don’t whine, and save your opinions on politics and tax rates for elected representatives who vote on those matters.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 6: Fight City Hall

If you don’t have time, or the stomach, to do battle yourself, get a hired gun to do the legwork for you. For a flat fee, Web sites such as ValueAppeal.com, EasyTaxFix.com and LowerMyAssessment.com will pinpoint comparable properties and assessment data for you. A professional appraiser can provide the strongest evidence of your property’s worth. If your community allows outside appraisals—and if you’re willing spend at least $250—find an appraiser with national certification, such as through the Appraisal Institute or the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers. Don’t fall for solicitations from law firms or other services saying they’ll assist you in return for a high percentage of the savings on your bill—it’s not worth the cost.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 6-A: Enlist Troops

If you need added incentive to bring a skeptical eye to your real estate appraisal, remember this: A successful appeal is truly the gift that keeps on giving, year after year. Raise a toast to your success.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

Step 7: Reap the Rewards

Maximize Your Tax Refund

SLIDE SHOW: Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions

SLIDE SHOW: Fat-Chance Tax Deduction Attempts

SLIDE SHOW: Extraordinary Tax Deductions

SLIDE SHOW: 10 Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
•  

More From Kiplinger