How to challenge the tax value of a property!

In anticipation of challenging the up-coming 2008 tax valuation from the Tax Assessor, here is the procedure to follow. The following is from the Miami-Dade county site:

The Value Adjustment Board (the “VAB”) is an independent governmental agency created by Chapter 194, of the Florida Statutes, to accept and process taxpayers’ petitions contesting the value of real estate and personal property as assessed by the Property Appraiser’s Office. Hearings are conducted by “Special Magistrates” appointed by the VAB to determine whether or not property is properly assessed. If not, then the VAB has the authority to make any necessary adjustment.

Within approximately 3 weeks (25 days in 2007) of receiving your “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” notification in August, a “Petition for Exemptions” (white) form must be filed to request a hearing before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The complete details and form can be found at:
http://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/dadecoc/VAB.asp

The completed form must be signed by the property owner and notarized. The form, along with the filing fee ($15.00 in 2007), should be personally delivered to the Tax Assessor’s office to obtain the date stamp as proof of confirmation of receipt by the Tax Assessor’s office prior to the deadline. Request a copy of the date stamped form for your records.

It would be advisable to order a copy of the property file from the Tax Assessor’s office to obtain information used by the Tax Assessor to arrive at the value or justification for their position. The hearing will probably not be scheduled until early 2009. The VAB has the power to make modifications to prior tax bills but limited to the prior 3 years. The burden of proof is on the property owner to show substantiation and/or justification for the Owner’s position by providing an appraisal, market anaylsis and written documentation supporting their position.

As with all governmental agencies, it is a process but advising our clients to take action could save them $$$$$ on future taxes and get them $$$$$ refunded from prior tax years.

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