FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You've Got Questions.
We've got Answers.
WHY DO I NEED TO APPEAL MY PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT?
If you believe your property value has declined for any reason, it is essential to review your tax assessments annually to ensure they do not exceed the current market value. Appealing your property tax assessment is a prudent step in protecting your financial interests.
WHAT IS THE TAX APPEAL PROCESS?
The tax appeal is your legal right to protect you from undue or unfair taxation and provides a means for you to receive proper representation before the taxing authorities..
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
The process begins when you investigate the possibilities of reducing your property taxes. It is crucial to start early, as there are annual deadlines that, once missed, offer no recourse for recapturing excessive property taxes. According to CA R&T Code 1604 (c), the county must resolve an assessment appeal within two years of application filing. Property Tax Pros typically takes 10-14 months from start to finish, with larger counties possibly taking longer due to volume.
WHAT IS PROPERTY TAX PROS ROLE IN THE PROCESS?
Property Tax Pros serves as your professional taxpayer advocacy firm, representing your interests before various taxing authorities. We handle all aspects of the assessment appeal, including valuation, investigating, consulting, negotiating, hearing appearances, and taking the proper actions to reduce your property taxes.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
Initially, we need you to request a no-cost assessment appeal review from Property Tax Pros to determine the size and scope of your property tax savings. Once we establish that your property meets our criteria for an assessment appeal, we will usually request some basic financial documents to help us determine the proper market value and build our case accordingly.
WHY USE PROPERTY TAX PROS FOR THE APPEALS WORK?
Our 15 years of experience, professional relationships with county assessors, and hundreds of successfully prosecuted assessment appeals statewide make us the right choice for handling commercial tax appeal negotiations. These negotiations can be complex, adversarial, and time-consuming. Inexperience or incompetence can cost the taxpayer thousands of dollars and may result in even higher property tax assessments.
HOW DOES PROPERTY TAX PROS GET PAID?
Property Tax Pros' professional fees are success-driven, based on a percentage of the actual tax assessment savings. No contingency fee is charged if there is no reduction.
IS IT ADVANTAGEOUS TO WAIT WHILE PROPERTY VALUES CONTINUE TO DECLINE SO WE GET A LOWER ASSESSMENT?
Like your income tax filings, property tax appeals are an annual event. Each tax year is separate and distinct, and savings may be available for every year. Once the annual appeal filing deadline passes, any tax relief for that year is lost forever. There is no reason to delay.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE APPEALS BOARD’S FINAL DECISION?
A motion can be filed in superior court to over-turn an assessment appeals board’s decision..
DO YOU DO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE APPEALS TOO?
Commercial property appeals are our specialty but we also provide services for home owners with assessed values in excess of $1MM.
WE HAVE ALREADY FILED OUR APPEAL. IS IT TOO LATE FOR PROPERTY TAX PROS TO HELP?
No. We receive many calls from property management firms and taxpayers who have filed an appeal only to discover the complexity and large amounts of time an appeal can consume. They simply assign the appeal to Property Tax Pros, and we take it from there.
MY STAFF, ATTORNEY, OR CPA SAID THEY CAN DO THIS FOR ME. WHY DO I NEED PROPERTY TAX PROS?
Property Tax Pros has spent the last 15 years building professional relationships with counties throughout California. Your staff may do many things well, but our experience enables us to achieve tax reductions faster and with better results than beginners. Staff, attorneys, and CPAs will charge win or lose.
WE’RE FIGHTING TO JUSTIFY OUR ASSET EQUITY VALUE. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT OUR LENDER APPRAISALS AND LOAN RATIOS?
An assessment appeal will not affect any lender appraisals and/or corresponding loan ratios. In fact, a successful assessment appeal lowers expenses and improves net operating income, ultimately benefiting your financial standing with lenders.