4 Methods to Lower Your Property Taxes

If you feel like your property taxes are too high, there are steps you can take to lower your property taxes and save some money. You can also get help through a tax service with assistance using the below methods to lower your property taxes.

Method #1: Research Home Values

One of the first things you are going to want to do is research home values. You can publicly access information about how values in your area. When comparing other homes in your area to your home, you will want to look at the details. You want to find out what homes are valued that have as many similar features as possible, such as square footage, number of bedrooms, and additional features.

The point of researching home values is to find out if your assessor made an error and overvalued your home. You can contact the assessor with your information to get your home's value lowered, which will hopefully result in a lower tax bill for you as well.

Method #2: Tax Exemption

You can also see if you qualify for a tax exemption, usually granted by either a local governing body or a state governing body. The reasons for a tax exemption vary greatly based on where you live. Often, tax exemptions are provided for senior citizens and veterans. Some places offer income-based exemptions. The best way to find out is to reach out to your local and state governments to see if there are any exemptions you can apply for to get a discount on your taxes.

Method #3: Check Your Tax Bill

Third, sit down and review your tax bill. Verify that the information on your tax bill is accurate. You will want to pay attention to details such as the square footage, size of the property, and extra features. If you notice that any of the information is incorrect and makes your home seem larger or grander than it really is, you are going to want to contact your local tax assessor and let them know about the inaccurate information. They may be able to simply fix it.

Method #4: File a Tax Appeal

You can also file a tax appeal with your local assessor's office. If you choose to go this route, you will want to get a tax professional and an attorney to help you with this process. You will need to provide information about your home and why you think it is overvalued and should qualify for a lower tax rate.

If you think your property taxes are too high, you can research surrounding home values to determine if your home is overvalued. Check your tax bill to ensure it is accurate and address any inaccuracies with the tax assessor. You can also file for a tax exemption or a tax appeal. Learn more by contacting property tax reduction services.