Many Florida property owners are on pins and needles awaiting their 2010 property assessment notice to come in August. Due to continued market volatility, numerous local taxing authorities are considering raising millage rates to offset drops in market values. Minimal increases allowed under constitutional caps can still lead to an increase in assessed values. So, there is a possibility owners may see both ups or downs in their market values, assessed values, and in their property taxes.

An appeals process is available to all property owners who feel their properties have been over-assessed and are seeking to protect themselves from unfair taxation. By Legislative decree, the appeals process has changed significantly, creating more fairness for property owners.

The appeals process exists for a good reason. It is a check on government's power to unfairly levy taxes.

In the past year, the Department of Revenue has adopted uniform Value Adjustment Board Rules of Procedure, and is about to release uniform training for special magistrates which incorporates State assessment standards. These important documents are found on DOR's web sites and should be posted on the web site of the Clerk in each county as well. These changes add transparency to the appeals process, helping all taxpayers understand the process.

Many Florida property owners are not aware that when it comes to the assessment of your property, you can be pro-active. Owners do not have to wait until August to check on the status of your assessment. Many counties are now posting preliminary estimates of your new assessment. However, these working values are subject to change. The values on which you can rely will be in your TRIM Notices which are mailed in August and include critical deadlines for filing administrative appeals.

What can an owner do today?

Below are a few easy and practical steps you can take. Investing a little time and research, could produce big savings.

• Go to your local county Property Appraiser's website. (A full list of Florida's Property Appraisers with direct links and full contact information for each county appraiser can be viewed at: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/appraisers.html)
• Look up your parcel with the user-friendly "Record Search" chain.
• On your parcel's page, there should be a column entitled, "2010 Working Values," or something similar. It will show you a preliminary value which the Property Appraiser is planning to assess to your parcel. On better appraiser websites, it is posted right next to last year's assessment.
• Compare the new assessment with last year and with your own idea of the current value of your property. If you like the results, enjoy the rest of your day. If you feel the assessment does not reflect the value you expected to see, contact your Property Appraiser's office pro-actively.
• When contacting your County Property Appraiser's office, ask for a staff appraiser and provide them with your name and parcel #. Many times, they may be willing to speak with you by phone and you can discuss their process and any substantive factors which you feel may be relevant. Some appraisers will be willing to review these factors over the phone and this conversation could trigger a reassessment your property.
• If a telephone conversation is not possible, ask for an appointment to discuss your concerns in person.
• If this pro-active contact doesn't yield the results you hope for, you still have the option of utilizing the formal appeals process in August. And do not wait to file your petition(s), even in conversation with staff. The deadlines cannot be extended because you hope to settle with the Property Appraiser. Petitions can be filed then removed later if you come to an agreement.

Some County Property Appraisers may not be posting "2010 working values" on their website, but will likely have them available in your file already. If this is the case, owners should start the process above by calling the office and asking an appraiser to pull your file and inform you of this year's preliminary or working value. Or, now is the time to select an agent or attorney who can represent you in your appeals. Many work on contingency.

Most appraisers want to get assessments right before August as much as you do.

"Property owners should take a hard look at the new State Rules and Training for Value Adjustment Board Special Magistrates now so that if they choose to challenge their assessments, they can use the extra time to be better prepared," states CPR member Sheila Anderson of Commercial Property Services, who specialized in valuation challenges throughout Florida.  (http://www.floridapropertytaxappeals.com/).

CPR believes every property owner has a right to fair valuation. We encourage all owners to utilize these these tools to educate themselves and to protect their property investments.

Take ownership of your property and your rights today!

Upcoming Seminar on Real Property Tax Planning & Appeals

One of CPR's corporate members, the Akerman Senterfitt law firm, will host an educational update on real property tax planning and appeals for property owners, investors and real estate executives on Friday, July 9, 2010, from 8:00-10:00 a.m., at the firm's Orlando office (420 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1200, Orlando, FL.) A continental breakfast will be served. This seminar will focus on upcoming deadlines for appeals, an update on recent legislative changes and case law, a review of non-residential/residential values in the past year, as well as anticipated values for the coming tax year. Speakers will include Cecelia Bonifay, Travis Godwin & Jim McCann of the Akerman firm and Paul Roper, MAI, SRA of Clayton, Marshall & Roper. The panel will  discuss property positioning strategies on how to obtain tax reductions and issues relating to certain types of properties such as agricultural/greenbelt exemptions, lots held for development, homes with Chinese drywall, and properties affected by oil spills or other natural disasters. Register online by July 2 at http://www.akerman.com/events/event.asp?id=&e=306.

KEEP CPR WORKING FOR YOU by joining the Coalition for Property Rights or renewing your membership today via our safe and easy to use online link www.proprights.com/contribute/. For detailed information on individual or corporate membership options, please contact us at 407-481-2289. 

Reader responses welcomed! carolsaviak@aol.com