Well, if your property value has indeed fallen from the day that you purchased, you are getting taxed on the purchase price of your property, rather than on market value.

That means that you may be paying more in property taxes than you need to!

But what can you do???

Well, you can start by contacting the San Francisco Office of the Assessor-Recorder online. (You can also call them at 415–554–8059.)

Once you get the the Tax Assessor’s website, you’ll see a link to Apply for Informal Review of Assessed Value for 2009 - 2010 Tax Year.

There, you’ll find both the Online Informal Review Application as well as Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs).

In addition to filing the Informal Review Application you can also File an Assessment Appeal.

There’s even a handy video titled Your Assessment Appeal! The video covers a variety of topics including:

•Introduction
•Decline in Market Value
•Base Year Value
•Reassessment After Calamity
•Escape Assessment and Roll Changes
•Filling Out the Application
•Preparing for Your Hearing
•Your Hearing
•Credits



The process to get your tax bill reassessed is actually quite simple.

You’ll find that the process isn’t difficult, and while you may be getting offers in the mail from companies that are ready and willing to help you through this process, they’re already ready and willing to charge you a hefty fee to do something that you can easily do yourself!

The one thing you DO need to get is three recent comparable sales from the period from January 1, 2009 through March 31st 20009.

This is where I come in!

You want to get the comparable sales data from a reputable REALTOR, not from a service like Zillow that isn’t able to give you an accurate assessment.

If you need help getting comps for your reassessment (as long as it’s in San Francisco), shoot me an email or call me at 415–307–1392. I’m happy to provide you with the info you need to get your SF property taxes lowered.

Vicky,

Use this form http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/assessment/Forms_and…

"The next open filing period for the City and County of San Francisco will be July 2, 2009 to September 15, 2009 to file a formal appeal for the 2009/2010 assessed value of your property. To timely file a formal property appeal for the 2009/2010 tax year, a completed Application for Changed Assessment form must be submitted or postmarked to the Assessment Appeals Board no later than September 15, 2009, regardless of whether or not you have requested an Informal Review of your property through the Assessor's office."

Since you already have the new appraisal, make sure to attach a copy of the appraisal along with the form.

Best of luck!

Vicky, ask your agent to get you some recent comps and go to the assessors office with them.

Good luck,


Tap http://www.DavidTapper.com

Hi Vicky,

Below is the link to the Assessment Appeals Board. Visit this link/page, and watch the video, "Your Assessment Appeal". It has a segment regarding decline in market value.

http://www.sfgov.org/site/assessment_index.asp


Best Regards,
Alicia

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alicia Tam
Realtor, Certified Residential Specialist, SRES , CNE
Barbagelata Real Estate
45 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 879-0546 cell
(415) 759-2541 direct
realtoraliciatam@yahoo.com email http://www.aliciatam.com