How to Appeal Your Property Taxes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Think your property tax assessment is too high? You have the right to appeal! This guide walks you through the appeal process, required documents, and common mistakes to avoid—ensuring you get a fair tax value.
Why Appeal Your Taxes?
If your home’s assessed value is incorrect, you may be overpaying in property taxes. Appealing ensures that you only pay what is fair. Here are some common reasons to consider an appeal:
Common Reasons to Appeal:
- Overvalued Property – Is your home’s market value less than twenty percent above your homes True Value?
- Comparable Homes Are Valued Lower –Similar properties in your area have lower assessed values.
- Incorrect Property Data-Errors in square footage, extra features, date of build, etc. are wrong.
- -Over 65 -You do not automatically recieve a discount on your assessed value when turning 65 you must notify the assessors office.
Why Appeal Your Taxes?
Follow these steps to appeal your property tax assessment and ensure you’re only paying your fair share
Review Your Assessment Notice
Check and compare your depreciation from the DOR Manual along with class of home and square footage. Compare with your current assessed value to your original appraisal when you purchased your home.
Compare with Similar Properties
Find comparable properties with similar characteristics, such as square footage, siding type, number of stories, windows, and construction date. Resources like the TSC map and Zillow can be invaluable for this research. Additionally, ensure you understand your property’s market value in relation to its true value and how it stacks up against others.
Gather Evidence & Documents
If you possess both the appraisal from your home purchase and the details from your property record card, you have two vital pieces of information in hand. The appraisal, typically completed when you bought the property, offers an estimate of its market value at that specific point in time.
Attend the Appeal Hearing
Secure an opportunity to appeal your property tax by scheduling a hearing through the Union County Chancery Court. You’ll be presenting your case before the Board of Supervisors, so come polished, prepared, and armed with compelling facts to make your stand.
Await the Decision
Arrive with your facts meticulously organized and ready to present to both the Board of Supervisors and the Tax Assessor. Be aware that the Board may redirect all property tax matters straight to the Tax Assessor, so be prepared to make your case clearly and convincingly.
What Documents Do You Need for Your Appeal?
To strengthen your case, prepare the following documents before filing your appeal.
01
Property Tax Assessment
Have current and previous assessed values.
02
Recent Home Appraisal.
Verify your actual market value with your most recent appraisal.
03
Find Similar
Homes
Evidence of similar homes with lower values.
04
Photos & Floor Plans
If you don’t live in the home full-time, your assessed value is 15% of True Value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does the appeal process take?
Typically, the appeal process is resolved on the same day you present your case to the Board of Supervisors.
What if my appeal is denied?
If your appeal is denied in Mississippi, there’s no higher state authority to turn to, so you’ll need to hire an attorney to pursue your case further.
Can I hire a lawyer for my appeal?
You can hire a lawyer if the board of supervisors denies or defers your appeal.