Monday September 15th is the deadline for property owners to appeal the tax assessment used to determine the coming year’s property taxes. Darlene Bloom, clerk of the O.C. board of supervisors, expects at least 10,000 to 14,000 more appeals to reach her office by the deadline.
Falling property values have led more homeowners to dispute their tax assessments, which were mailed out in late June. The Orange County Assessor’s Office already reduced assessments for more than 147,000 residential property owners because their home values had fallen below tax-assessment values.
Those who didn’t get such a reduction, or who disagree with the reduction they got, are entitled to a hearing before an appeals board.
Note: You do not qualify for a reduced assessment merely because your home’s value has fallen. To get your property tax lowered, you must be able to show that the county’s assessed value for your property exceeds what it can easily sell for in today’s market. Most homeowners who purchased their residence more than four years ago will not qualify for a tax cut because Prop. 13 has kept their assessments in check.
Here’s what you must do …
- Bloom said that formal appeals must be postmarked by midnight Monday night and mailed to: Orange County Assessment Appeals Board, P.O. Box 22023, Santa Ana, CA 92702-2023
- Forms are available online at ocgov.com/cob and at most public libraries. Also click on “Property Assessment” on the ocgov.com/cob Web site to find instructions on the appeals process and an online form. Or CLICK HERE!
- For tips on filing an appeal: CLICK HERE!
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