HILLSBOROUGH: Tax assessment appeal deadline is Monday

About 100 requests for lower tax values have been filed so far

   As of Wednesday, 96 township property owners have filed appeals of their tax assessments. The paperwork is due by 4:30 p.m. Monday in county and township tax offices.
   The number of appeals may be reflective of the unusual nature of the year; in 2011 property assessments were revalued township-wide for the first time since 1982. Average home assessments rose about 40 to 45 percent with the revaluation, said township officials.
   Tax appeals historically been relatively rare in the township, but Tax Assessor Debra Blaney said Tuesday she and her staff have probably talked to 100-200 people over the phone or in the office about the prospect of appealing.
   According to information at the tax office, “taxpayers must understand they are appealing their real estate assessment and not their real estate taxes.”
   ”The unknown is the tax rate,” said Ms. Blaney. She said she thought there could be appeals from people who have multiplied their new assessment times last year’s rate and arrived at a high dollar figure. While the assessments likely have risen, the tax rate should go down, albeit not necessarily in the same proportion.
   Other appeals are possible from people whose home was never inspected by the revaluation firm prior to setting a new value, she said. In those cases, inspectors had to use their best judgment in setting the new tax value.
   In an appeal, people have to realize they must have records of three sales of comparable properties between Oct, 1, 2009, and Oct. 1, 2010, to buttress their case that their value should be lowered, Ms. Blaney said. The assessment of the tax assessor is legally presumed to be correct unless overcome by proofs supplied by the taxpayer, according to the tax office.
   One logical step would be for an owner to make sure the info on tax records is correct.