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Challenging Colorado Property Tax Assessment if You Think it is Wrong


January 4, 2017

Did you know that you can investigate your own local government regarding the property taxes that they have assessed for your home? If you think that the property tax is too high for the value on your property, you have every right in the state of Colorado to challenge the tax assessor’s final recommendation. Calculate your Colorado Property Tax today! Is it too high for your property size, location or home value? Learn below how it is possible to lower the taxable value of your Colorado property, possibly reaping amazing tax savings. To be successful at challenging your property’s taxable value, there are certain things that you have to establish.

The Colorado Tax Assessor Had Wrong Information

If the tax assessor used incomplete or inaccurate information, you have the right to challenge. For instance, if tax assessment professional assumed that your home is 2,200 square feet and you know for sure that it is only 1,900 square feet; you have a legitimate claim of inaccuracy. The tax assessor should use similar properties in the community to come up with a taxable value. If a property used by the tax assessor is not entirely the same as yours, then the information is inaccurate. The same is true if the assessor uses a higher market value, assuming it is the right one. If you are quite convinced that any or all of this information is not factual, it is time to consider another strategy to get your property taxes reduced.

Tax Assessor Discussion

If your discovery is convincing proof that the tax assessor has not provided an accurate value of your property, then the tax assessor upon a thorough discussion with you may agree to make changes to the value. If that takes place, then you won’t have to opt for an administrative appeal. Go to the directory of the Colorado Tax Assessor and find contact information to make an appointment.

The Appointment

Tax assessors are very hard working individuals who take pride in the work that they do. They do the best job in treating property owners fairly. So, it is ideal to give them the benefit of the doubt by having a sit down to discuss the details. Prior to meeting with the tax assessor’s office, be sure to have additional copies of the proof found such as the reports used by the tax assessor and the correct property value that you researched. Try not to be argumentative or complaining. Approach this with as much professionalism that you can muster. In other words, stick to the evidence of lower taxes for your home. If proven, the tax assessor might make the changes right away or you may have to give the assessor a few weeks to resolve.

The Appeal

If an agreement cannot be reached with the tax assessor, you can make an administrative appeal to the higher offices. You can file a written formal appeal, protesting the assessor’s valuation. In the state of Colorado, the appeal must be delivered to the office by June 1. If you are not sure about the additional documents to file, call the office of the tax assessor to find out. Your appeal will be addressed to the County Board of Equalization in the state of Colorado, but deadlines for filing are different for different counties. So, be sure to double check.
Here is some of the evidence accepted for an appeal:
  • Recent home appraisal
  • Report of repair work conducted by a contractor
  • Documentation for neighborhood sales price
  • Pictures of similar homes with a list of the sales prices or tax values

The Hearing

At the appeal hearing, you will receive up to ten minutes to discuss your case. So, try to be as succinct as possible. If you are not in agreement with the County Board’s appeal decision, you can go a step further by appealing to the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals or to the Colorado District Court. You can also take your argument to an arbitrator. You may need legal representation for any court appearance.

For help in determining your property value, it is first recommended that you speak to a real estate professional in the area that has full knowledge of the real estate market in your neighborhood. Contact Elevation Realty to discuss your options.Call them today at 303-579-3566!