Assessment change map

On March 24, 2015, DC’s Office of Tax and Revenue and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson hosted a real property tax town hall meeting. The meeting was scheduled because Riggs Park is one of the neighborhoods that has seen a large increase in assessed values. Both DC OTR and  Mendelson handed out documents (DC OTR Real Property Taxes Fact Sheet (pdf); DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson Tax Assessment Town Hall (pdf)). Below are some tips pulled from Mendelson’s handout.

• To dispute the assessment of your real property you must file a first level administrative appeal.
• April 1st is the absolute deadline for filing first level administrative appeals. Hand deliver to be sure it is received on time, or by certified mail to have proof of the postmark, or fax it and follow-up with a phone call to the assessor (whose number is on your assessment notice).
• For best results, conduct your first level administrative appeal in person. Telephone is next best. You will better  understand how to challenge the assessment by talking to the assessor.
• Verify your property data (e.g. use code, number of bedrooms, type of structure, billing data, and property class, etc). If possible get this information from your assessor before filing your appeal.
• Most appeals are based on “equalization”- that comparable properties are assessed equally. Look for three properties  similar to yours- and near yours- that are assessed lower than you.
• Take advantage of tax relief programs: Homestead deduction, senior citizen property tax relief, historic properties program, lower income homeownership tax abatement, first-time homebuyer  individual  income tax credit, senior citizen property tax deferral, schedule H/individual income property tax credit, etc.
• The tax rate for homeowners remains 85¢ and the homestead deduction is $71,400 this year. Taxes did not increase more than 10%.