Comments on: Reducing your property tax…or, maybe not?

By: DA

DA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:42:46 +0000

I have submitted reassessments of my home over the past two years and have had reductions each time. The reductions I received were not exactly what I expected but it was better than having to pay the full amount. I recommend finding as many comps in the area before filing to create a stronger argument.

By: RG

RG — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:23:19 +0000

It seems to me, filing the form is a waste of time, I filed for the last 3 years and all denied and it even went up every year, it sucks! In fact, I never heard of anyone got their prop. tax reduce. Your kinda’ wondering if the Assessors ever watch or read any news. I almost want to use that third party Property Tax Reasessmnet services so I can get a reduction. But then I heard it was a scam. Anyway, hope this year we could finally get a reduction.

By: Kimberley S

Kimberley S — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:15:13 +0000

Yep, we were denied as well. I called the Assessor’s office when I got the letter, and he explained the January 1, 2009 point as well. He told me they go back and forward 90 days from January 1, which means comps from October 1 2008 – March 31, 2009 are the ones to review. Property values will surely still be lower on March 31.

It is better to wait until April 1 to reapply to take into account the comps from January – March 2009. The Assessor’s office will be looking at those dates, so you should too.

He told me the only question next April will be “how much,” not “if” property values have declined.

By: JJR

JJR — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:10:15 +0000

We tried it and were denied. For current tax bills, they look at the value as of January 1, 2008, and the comps were higher then than they are now. Next summer when you file, they’ll look at January 1, 2009, so there’s more chance of success.

By: Denied!!!

Denied!!! — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:09:18 +0000

I applied about a month ago using the online form. I received letters from the county about a week ago saying that both of my san carlos properties were denied a reduction in assessed value. The properties were purchased in ’05 and ’07. I’m assuming I was denied becuase the value of the properties were determined on Jan 1 and most of the decline in value have occured this year. Thus, I’ll try again on Jan 2, ’09!