Appealing Property Taxes in Maryland
When the State of Maryland sends you the property assessment, do you look at it? You should. Sometimes the state assessment is too high and you, as the homeowner, have the right to appeal the assessment. While appealing property taxes in Maryland might appear to be a daunting task, we are here to help!
When and How
In Maryland, if a property is purchased between January 1 and June 30, the new homeowner has 60 days from the settlement date to file an appeal. If the homeowner misses this 60 day window, there are two more options: an appeal within 45 days of receiving an assessment notice (typically every three years) or a “Petition for Review” by January 1 of any year. The initial review will take place at the Supervisor’s Level, which is typically an informal, 15 minute meeting. If the homeowner disagrees with the decision, an appeal can be made to the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board. If still dissatisfied, a further appeal can be made to the Maryland Tax Court. Here is the link to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, http://www.dat.state.md.us/.
Supporting Documents
You should be prepared to provide comparables or other data to prove that the property assessment is too high. When appealing after a purchase transaction, a HUD-1 Settlement Statement or an appraisal may be helpful. Every property owner is entitled to obtain, free of charge, their property worksheet and a sales list for the area where the property is located. Most importantly, during the appeal, focus on the points that specifically affect the property value – do not argue about percentage increases, past values, or values of properties in other jurisdictions
It is Worth It
Don’t be intimidated by the tax appeal process; typically, at the first appeal level you will meet one on one with an appraiser in a non-adversarial setting. Also, most appeals are resolved at the first appeal, especially if you have done your research, therefore appealing to a review board or the tax court is not generally needed. Appealing property taxes in Maryland is not as difficult as it seems, and the reward will be worth it.
0 Comments