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If you purchased your home in southern California within the past 2 1/2 years, you're probably paying to much in property taxes. Don't assume that the Tax Assessor is going to show you any mercy by automatically lowering your property taxes because it does not benefit the county coffers for them to receive less money from you, the taxpayer. 

Most counties have an appeals process in place and it would behoove the savvy homeowner to look into it. My office is located in Orange County so I will give you a quick outline on the procedure here in Orange County:

Step 1- Call the Assessor and request an Assessment Appeals Application. They may suggest that you apply for an informal review, and may suggest that it's possible that your tax can be reduced at this point with no further action required. However, it's more likely that you will be given a hearing date, see step 3 below.

Step 2 - Complete the Application and mail it back to the address on the application.

Step 3 - You will be given a hearing date before an Assessment Appeals Board. This board usually consists of 3 individuals who can be an Appraiser, Attorney, Real Estate Broker, or a CPA.

Step 4 - At the hearing, your evidence is presented to the board to prove that your property is valued less than what is has been assessed. Your evidence, at a minimum should be three (3) comparable sales that are similar to your property and must meet the "90 Day Rule" (90 days before or after your assessment date, the closer the better). A professionally prepared, independent appraisal from a licensed appraiser would go a long way in this situation because a full appraisal would answer all of the questions they may, or may not, ask. Study your appraisal because all of the answers will be there at your fingertips. If you so desire, you can invite your Appraiser to attend the hearing with you.

Step 5 - You will be notified of the Board's findings, which can not be appealed, except of course to Superior Court.

For further information or to request us to do your appraisal, please see our tab called "Property Tax Reduction". You can contact me at mcrose@coastappraisalinc.com if you have questions about this process or would like to place an order for an appraisal.