Return your tax cap postcards

While Incline Village and Crystal Bay property owners have just 10 days left to fill out and send back tax cap cards mailed by the Washoe County Assessor's office, representatives from the Village League have been receiving 10 to 20 e-mails a day from people confused about the tax cards.

The local group protesting its property tax assessments said many property owners wonder if they are eligible for the cap. Second homeowners and those who travel often are concerned about whether they will receive the 3 percent tax cap passed by the Legislature in early April if they cannot send back the postcard by the June 10 deadline.

"If in doubt, send it in," is what local tax gurus are saying about the tax cards, and we at the Bonanza agree. Send in your tax cap cards as soon as possible.

The worst that can happen is the assessor's office can refuse the cap.

County Assessor Bob McGowan said in a Bonanza article that property owners can still receive the 3 percent cap even if they don't send the card in by the June 10 deadline - the process will just take longer.

But a release sent out by Washoe County states that "any card not returned will be assigned the higher tax cap."

One Village League member called the postcard process "a giant, colossal mess."

To ease any further confusion, we advise you to call the assessor's office at (775) 328-2233 to get your questions answered and then fill out and send in your cards this week.

If you are a property owner who has not received a card, call the assessor's office so one can be sent. If the postcard is not received by the assessor's office before June 10, the partial abatement may not be reflected on the tax bills mailed in July.

Visit www.washoecounty.us for more information.