There are several ways to dispute your taxes. The first thing that I do is make sure the property description is accurate. Get your appraisal out and make sure the home size is accurate. Look at the measurements. If your county has added your finished basement to the total Heated Square footage, they are wrong. FHA, FNMAE, Freddie Mac and the VA want these areas separate. Why would the County be different? I have a guide to dispute your taxes on line that you can get NOW. Go to http://www.FairTaxAppraiser.com and get your copy. There is a Lot more to this than what I have said here.

Yes, you have options, Shaun. But let me explain that everytime a home is sold, the county then reassess your property tax on the new selling price. So if others in your neighborhood have owned their homes for a while, their increased value has not been updated or noticed. You can file a change of property taxes dispute form with the county and usually you can find it on their website to be down loaded. You may have to do some research to see what others with homes similar to yours are paying so you can validate your claim. Once again do a property search on the county website to get this information. By all means, at least ask. Whether it will help remains to be seen, but property values in Ohio have not increased much the last couple of years and some have even decreased. Hope this helps!

You can appeal your property taxes! Go to your county website and find the auditor link and you will find the forms needed to apply. They WILL be lowered if you are correct in your neighbors assessments. The dead line in my county, Summit, is March 31, so hurry. I am helping several of my clients right now!