THIS IS THE YEAR FOR PROPERTY TAXES

April 7, 2007

Posted www.YourHub.com in Douglas County Cities

In odd numbered years Colorado counties revalue property. That means your property taxes could be going up this spring. But, if you do your homework-the likelihood for lowering your taxes could also go up.

First, realize this is a process. May 1 property owners receive notification of their property value and new tax rate. You have until June 1 to file a protest.

Don't walk into the County Assessor's office and complain. Screaming at the clerks, jumping up and down will not get you anywhere. Proving they are wrong will. Focus on your objective.

So begin by visiting their web site at www.douglas.co.us/assessor and search for pertinent information about the process. There is a lot there to help you. Become informed.

Then visit the assessor's office on Wilcox Street in Castle Rock, second floor. The clerks are trained to assist and more then willing by pointing you to necessary information to build a case. Applications are available on their web site or can be obtained directly from the Assessor's office.

Do an evaluation of homes sold in your neighborhood the last two years. The County Assessor uses those same statistics to establish your tax rate. List all extenuating circumstances to prove your case. And remember your application must be postmarked no later than June 1.

The assessor's office evaluates around 200,000 real estate transactions in a two-year period. That is a lot of property. Remember they could be wrong.

For instance, your home may be a 2,000 square foot ranch with a walk out basement valued at $400,000. Because this is a market driven system, the Assessor studies other homes similar to yours that have sold the past two years to determine your property value, establishing your taxes.

They do not see your neighborhood as you see it. Extenuating circumstances such as finished basements or additions increase value. Yours may still have an unfinished basement and of less value.

Or other homes may have more square footage, over estimating yours. Use information to prove your point. In fact forty percent of the protests are changed. Key, know the facts.

To inform citizens recently elected Douglas County Assessor Teri Cox, is improving communication through a newsletter. Look for this in the near future. The assessor's office also offers classes for groups on a regular basis to educate groups about property taxes. Scheduling a class for an organization you are involved might help.

Cox said, "A public who understands what you do is more likely to support what you do. We are doing what we can to decrease misconceptions. That helps individuals flow through the process successfully."

She went on to say that the assessor's office tries to be accurate but reviewing 200,000 homes creates a lot of statistics. They want to help citizens through this protest process. So use that help to build a case to decrease your property taxes.

Teri Cox has honed her communication skills as a member of the local Castle Rock Toastmasters. Toastmasters helps people improve their effective communication and leadership skills. For more information on how you can become involved with the local Toastmasters calling Mark McGregor, President, at 303-681-0113.