How to fight your tax assessment

If you received an assessment notice and you feel the Total New Market Value on your notice (box 7) does not reflect the market value of your property, you may use this form to file an appeal and/or obtain information on this property from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

 

You have until February 10, 2012 to file this appeal. It must be postmarked by February 10, 2012.

Gather supporting documentation to make your case for your appeal. Supporting documentation should include recently sold properties ( COMPS ) which are comparable to your property. This data can be gathered with the help of a local real estate agent.

Use this Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation site to look up other properties in the area to compare assessments.

Tips & Warnings*

- Ask for the worksheet in advance of any meetings (be persistent to get it). You may find discrepencies betwen how your property is described and reality, which affects the value. Bring any errors to the attention of the assessor:

- Is the number of bedrooms

- Is the number of bathrooms correct?

- Are they claiming that you have amenities? What are they? If so, is the value appropriate?

- Do they have the right square footage?

-·Be prepared to support your argument with ample documentation.

-·Pinpoint items that affect the value of your home: crime, graffiti, abandoned or foreclosed homes on your block?

-·For best results, avoid focusing on a past value, the percentage amount of the tax increase, additional metropolitan costs, the amount of the tax bill, properties in other taxing jurisdictions, and services rendered or not rendered by the city.

- Be persistent.

- Document your discussions, including dates, times, and person spoken to.

*Read more: How to Appeal Tax Assessment in Maryland | eHow.com.