Real Estate Assessor's Office
Appeals
THREE STEPS IN THE APPEAL PROCESS
- Appeal to the Department of Real Estate Valuation
- Appeal to the Board of Equalization
- File suit in Circuit Court
APPEAL PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES
The assessment notice you receive after January 15 of each year contains instructions and deadline dates for appeals to the Department of Real Estate Valuation. Usually appeals to the the Department last until the 6th day of February. The Board of Equalization meets usually within a month of the final day of appeals to the Department of Real Estate Valuation.
You must file before the deadlines to make a valid appeal.
HOW CAN I KNOW IF MY ASSESSMENT IS CORRECT?
The first thing you need to do is decide for yourself what you think your property is worth. You can do this by looking at comparable sales of properties like yours, contact appraisers, and compare assessments on similar properties to yours. Sales and assessment information is available in the Department of Real Estate Valuation and open to public inspection during regular business hours. Some information is also on this web site by using the Property Data Search feature.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH MY ASSESSMENT?
The first step is contact the appraiser in the Department of Real Estate Valuation who made the assessment on your property. During this informal session you can find out how the assessment was made and what information is available about your property. After this review, if you still think the assessment on your property is incorrect the next step is to file a formal appeal in the office. The appeal form must be filed with the Department of Real Estate Valuation on or before February 6. Appeal forms are available in the Real Estate Office. If you cannot come to the office a form can be mailed to you. Once a written appeal is made, an appraiser from the office will request an inspection of your property. During that inspection you may point out to the appraiser any information or factors that might affect the value of the property.
After the inspection, you will receive written notification of the decision with regards to the property value of your property.
WHAT ARE THE GROUNDS FOR AN APPEAL OF MY ASSESSMENT?
An assessment appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. You must attempt to prove that your property's market value is either inaccurate or unfair. You may appeal based on the following:
- The data in the real estate office is incorrect on items that affect value. i.e. You have one bath not two, or a carport instead of a garage.
- You have evidence that similar properties to yours have sold for less than the estimated market value of your property.
- You can show that while the estimated market value of your property is valid, that it is not equitably appraised with similar properties to yours.
For more details on an appeal; See, Appeals Form Instructions
WHAT IS THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION?
The Board of Equalization is a 5 member citizen panel, appointed by the Circuit Court. If you do not agree with the appeal decision by the Department of Real Estate Valuation, then it is the Board's duty to hear evidence by the taxpayer and the assessor to decide if the assessment is correct. Your appeal to the Board also must be in writing. The Department of Real Estate can provide you with the forms for appeal to the Board of Equalization and make appointments for you to appear before the Board. The Board of Equalization is independent from the Department of Real Estate and establishes its own deadlines and procedures based on the Code of Virginia.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION?
State law puts the burden of proof on the property owner to show that the assessment is incorrect. You must have strong enough evidence to show that the assessor's value is incorrect. Stating that your property taxes are too high is not relevant testimony. You need to establish what you think your property is worth. The best evidence of this would be to compare recent sales of similar properties. You may also bring any appraisals you have had done on your property. And finally you can show that similar properties have inequitable values.
WHAT IF I DON'T AGREE WITH THE BOARDS DECISION?
The final step in the appeals process is to file suit in the Circuit Court. This will usually involve hiring of an attorney to represent you in the matter. |
