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Property owners who question their tax assessments have a choice, but the process for contesting property tax can take time.
The first step property owners may take, according to Suellen Fulstone, attorney for the Village League to Save Tahoe Assets, is to approach the Washoe County Assessor's office.
"Try first to clarify the issues with them," she said.
If property owners do not resolve the issue with the assessor's office, they can take their complaints to the Washoe County Board of Equalization.
Peter Simeoni, attorney with the Washoe County District Attorney's Office for the county board of equalization, said the primary duty of the board is to equalize assessments within Washoe County.
Fulstone said the new members of the board are conscientious, and she is hopeful that the board can adopt policies that will help avoid contentious issues in future years.
"The board has authority over its own processes, subject to the state Board of Equalization and state law," she said. When taxpayers determine a property valuation is incorrect, the board can help correct, or equalize, it.
Wrong comparisons, for instance, can cause a dispute in the taxable value of property.
"People can bring up all the aspects that can adversely affect their property's value," said Steve Churchfield, chief assessor for Washoe County. These aspects can be diverse.
The board considers the evidence a property owner brings, Churchfield said. Board members consider the property's taxable value and whether it exceeds market value as well as other evidence not considered by the assessor's office, he said.
Land value plus improvement value equals the taxable value, Churchfield said. This amount cannot exceed the property's full taxable value.
Put another way, Chuck Chinnock of the Washoe County Board of Equalization said the value of property improvement deducted from the total sale price equals the value of the land.
Taxpayers need to be aware that questions and disputes about the process need to be addressed on a predetermined timeline. An assessor is assigned to a taxpayer and the amount assessed needs to be filed in the county by Jan. 15, Simeoni said. After that, hearings may be set, where the Board of Equalization receives and reviews evidence and makes a decision on it.
These need to be reviewed by the Nevada Attorney General by Feb. 28, according to Fulstone.
If a property owner is not satisfied, she or he may take the complaint to the state Board of Equalization, where a resolution must be in place no later than March 10. Those who still contest the assessed taxes can hire an attorney.
Incline Village Realtor Ina Haupt, a new member of the county equalization board, said the board can make recommendations to the assessor but it does not have the power to direct the assessor's office.
"We need strong taxpayers like Ted Harris to make recommendations," Haupt said.
The first step property owners may take, according to Suellen Fulstone, attorney for the Village League to Save Tahoe Assets, is to approach the Washoe County Assessor's office.
"Try first to clarify the issues with them," she said.
If property owners do not resolve the issue with the assessor's office, they can take their complaints to the Washoe County Board of Equalization.
Peter Simeoni, attorney with the Washoe County District Attorney's Office for the county board of equalization, said the primary duty of the board is to equalize assessments within Washoe County.
Fulstone said the new members of the board are conscientious, and she is hopeful that the board can adopt policies that will help avoid contentious issues in future years.
"The board has authority over its own processes, subject to the state Board of Equalization and state law," she said. When taxpayers determine a property valuation is incorrect, the board can help correct, or equalize, it.
Wrong comparisons, for instance, can cause a dispute in the taxable value of property.
"People can bring up all the aspects that can adversely affect their property's value," said Steve Churchfield, chief assessor for Washoe County. These aspects can be diverse.
The board considers the evidence a property owner brings, Churchfield said. Board members consider the property's taxable value and whether it exceeds market value as well as other evidence not considered by the assessor's office, he said.
Land value plus improvement value equals the taxable value, Churchfield said. This amount cannot exceed the property's full taxable value.
Put another way, Chuck Chinnock of the Washoe County Board of Equalization said the value of property improvement deducted from the total sale price equals the value of the land.
Taxpayers need to be aware that questions and disputes about the process need to be addressed on a predetermined timeline. An assessor is assigned to a taxpayer and the amount assessed needs to be filed in the county by Jan. 15, Simeoni said. After that, hearings may be set, where the Board of Equalization receives and reviews evidence and makes a decision on it.
These need to be reviewed by the Nevada Attorney General by Feb. 28, according to Fulstone.
If a property owner is not satisfied, she or he may take the complaint to the state Board of Equalization, where a resolution must be in place no later than March 10. Those who still contest the assessed taxes can hire an attorney.
Incline Village Realtor Ina Haupt, a new member of the county equalization board, said the board can make recommendations to the assessor but it does not have the power to direct the assessor's office.
"We need strong taxpayers like Ted Harris to make recommendations," Haupt said.
