Steps for Filing

Basic Steps

1. A property owner provides Assessor with facts or evidence that they feel justify a reduction in value and requests a review of the property’s value or the Assessor may initiate the review if the reduction is discovered independently.
2. Appraisal staff reviews the property owner’s comparable sales and other market data, estimates the property’s market value as of January 1st and then compares this market value to the property’s current Prop 13 factored base year value.

Below Proposition 13
If the January 1 market value is below factored Proposition 13 value, then:

• Assessed value is lowered to market value for next fiscal year
• Owner is notified of reduced value
• New tax bill is based on lower value for next fiscal year
• The following year, Assessor repeats process and enrolls the January 1 market value at that time or Proposition 13 factored value, whichever is lower

Above Proposition 13
If January 1 market value is higher than factored Proposition 13 value, then:

• No change in assessed value is made
• Owner is notified that value will not be reduced.
• If owner still feels value should be reduced, then owner may file an assessment appeal with the Assessment Appeals Board, from July 2 through November 30 each year
• Appeals Board hears evidence from owner and Assessor; board then determines proper assessed value