Need Help filing a Property Tax Appeal?

Two dates - Two times!!

This Wednesday @ 6:00 pm!!

This Saturday @ 8:00 am!!

 Property Tax Appeasl Help Day FREE!!!

At the Kennedy Branch Library, McGalliard Road, Muncie.

The new General Reassessment Assessed Values are done and have been mailed!

(If you own property and haven't seen yours, you better call the County Assessor's office @ (765) 747-7715 and research your new assessment IMMEDIATELY!)

The deadline to appeal your Property Tax Assessment is October 31, 2013!!

Many have seen increases of over 50% in their assessed values!!

The law now provides for the Assessor to bear the burden of proof on any assessment that has increased more than 5%, but YOU MUST FILE AN APPEAL for that review to occur!

The Citizens of Delaware County for Good Government is hosting our Fifth Annual “Property Tax Appeal Help Day” on both Wednesday October 23, 2013 and Saturday October 26, 2013 at the Kennedy Library on McGalliard Road.  There is no cost for this service, however last year we PACKED THE HOUSE with well over nearly 200 taxpayers in attendence, so be sure and be on time and prepared!

The purpose of the Property Tax Appeal Help Day is to help property owners who believe that their assessed values are too high.   We will provide a packet with pointers on how to complete your property tax assessment appeal forms, but we do not guarantee that you will win your appeal.    

The following “Tax Appeal Primer” contains preliminary information to help you file your property tax appeal. 

·         You snooze, you lose:  Property owners have until October 31, 2013 to appeal assessed values on their properties.  If you fail to appeal by the deadline, you will lose your right to appeal.  You can provide additional information for your appeal after it is filed, but you must file before the deadline.

·         No news isn’t always good news:  We were advised that the Form 11, which shows changes in assessed values, is being sent to all property owners this year.  If you have not received a Form 11 for your property you should check with the Assessor’s Office to determine if your assessed values have changed.  

·         Appeal with Zeal:  Be advised that you may need to appeal your assessment this year, even if you appealed and won last year. We are aware of properties with assessed values that were reduced last year per successful appeals that reverted back to pre-appeal levels this year.  The good news is that State Senator Doug Eckerty is working with Representative Bill Davis on legislation to close the loophole that allows County Assessors to “trend” your assessed value from the pre-appeal amount versus the adjusted amount that resulted from a successful appeal.   So if you win your appeal, future assessed values should be trended from adjusted assessed value that is a result of your appeal. 

·         Home sweet homestead: A homestead exemption can save homeowners money on their property taxes.  House Enrolled Act ("HEA") 1344-2009, required the homestead exemption form be mailed with all property tax statements through 2012 though it must only be completed once prior to Jan. 1, 2013.  We recommend that you re-file your homestead exemption this year to make sure that it gets done. 

·         Don’t leave home without it (A Property Record Card that is):  Be sure to pick up a current Property Record Card from the Assessor’s office so that you can identify errors on your assessment.  Call the Assessor’s Office at 747-7710 for help.  They can email your Property Record Card to you.

·         A picture is worth a thousand words:  Provide photographs of any damages or other issues that detract from the value of the property. Take photographs of the inside and outside of the property as needed.

·         Condition and Grade matter:  These ratings affect your assessed values. The Department of Local Government Finance has provided guidelines that can be used to validate the condition and grade of your property. 

·         Two copies are better than one: Make two copies of your appeal and all photographs and supporting documentation and have them date stamped when you turn in your appeal.  Make sure you keep a complete copy of all documentation for your records

Be sure to mark your calendars for either Wednesday, October 23rd or Saturday, October 26th at the Kennedy Library on McGalliard Road.

We hope to see you there!