Last month to appeal property Taxes in Florida

Aug. 11, 2010 - August is Property Tax Appeal month in Florida. Notices of annual tax assessments are mailed to taxpayers in August, and the window of opportunity closes soon for homeowners who want to contest their property tax assessment.

The tax notices also include information on filing an appeal with the local Value Adjustment Board (VAB), which generally includes a September deadline for filing a petition. VAB Notices include three values: market, assessed and taxable. Taxpayers can appeal market value if they believe their assessments are too high. If successful, as a result of a VAB Hearing, their property taxes may be lowered.

However, the VAB must receive a petition requesting a hearing by the deadline date to be assured of an administrative appeal - postmarks do not count.

Petitions are one page forms and can be obtained from the Florida Department of Revenue, the Value Adjustment Board in any Florida county, or the property appraiser in each county.

Some guidelines for property owners who wish to appeal:

· Separate petitions generally are required for each property id or parcel number.

· Fees may be charged for each petition filed, but $15 is the maximum fee a VAB can charge.

· Taxpayers can file petitions to appeal their assessments, or their agents or attorneys can represent them. Petition forms include requirements for anyone who represents a taxpayer before the VAB.

· Complete petitions must include the name of the petitioner (taxpayer or representative), property identification numbers, property addresses, the address of the petitioner, sworn signatures, times requested, and boxes to check requesting information or certain conditions.

Commercial Property Services (CPS), a licensed Florida real estate brokerage that appeals property taxes, recommends that petitioners check a box asking for property record cards, which can include information that helps with an appeal. Many record cards identify the appraisal method used by the taxing authorities, as well as cost calculations. Some records include income data.