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If you believe your property has been overvalued by your local tax assessor, you may be paying more in property taxes than you should. Fortunately, Connecticut law allows property owners to appeal an unfair tax assessment and seek a fair valuation. Understanding the process and knowing your rights can help you reduce your tax burden and protect your investment.
Step 1: Review Your Property Assessment
Each year, your local tax assessor determines the value of your property, which directly impacts your property tax bill. You should receive a notice of assessment that details the assessed value of your home or business property. To determine if your assessment is fair:
Compare your property’s assessed value to recent sales of similar properties in your area.
Check for errors in your property record, such as incorrect square footage or missing deductions.
Review past assessments and note any significant changes.
If you find discrepancies or believe your valuation is too high, you may have grounds for an appeal.
Step 2: Informally Discuss with the Assessor
Before filing a formal appeal, you can reach out to your local assessor’s office for an informal discussion about your concerns. Sometimes, errors can be corrected at this stage without needing to go through the formal appeals process.
Step 3: File an Appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals
If your concerns are not resolved informally, the next step is to file a formal appeal with your town’s Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). Here’s how:
Check the deadline: Most towns in Connecticut require appeals to be filed by February 20th (or another specified date after a property revaluation).
Complete the appeal form: Obtain and submit the required forms from your town’s website or assessor’s office.
Gather evidence: Support your case with recent comparable sales, a professional appraisal, or documentation of property defects.
The BAA will schedule a hearing where you can present your case.
Step 4: Present Your Case at the Hearing
During the hearing, be prepared to:
Explain why you believe your assessment is incorrect.
Present your comparative sales data or professional appraisal.
Highlight any errors in the assessor’s report.
The Board will review your case and make a decision, typically within a few weeks.
Step 5: Appeal to the Superior Court (If Necessary)
If you disagree with the BAA’s decision, you have the right to appeal to the Connecticut Superior Court within two months of the decision. This step requires legal expertise, so consulting an experienced tax appeal attorney can improve your chances of success.
Get Professional Help with Your Tax Appeal
Challenging a property tax assessment can be complex, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Talcott Law Group, we have over 40 years of experience helping Connecticut property owners fight unfair assessments and lower their tax burden.
Contact us today for a consultation and take control of your property taxes.
