What to do if you disagree with your reappraisal?
With the recent reappraisals done by the Shelby County Tax Assessors office, many of my current and past clients have been in contact with me for help.This section of my site was created to hopefully provide you with guidance in addressing these issues and more importantly to answer the many unknowns.If after reading this section you feel you have you have reason to have your assessment reviewed, please do not hesitate to contact me for a market analysis of your home.
Before you get started, please remember that a team of appraisers have made every effort to ensure that all unique characteristics of a property are considered in establishing fair market value. When property owners have a concern regarding their appraisal or classification and do not agree with the Assessor's value, you should request an Informal Review.
An Informal Review is not an appeal. It is an opportunity for property owners to share information with the Assessor's Office in order for your property values to reflect fair market value.
By completing this online Informal Review form, the information you provide will help assist the appraisal staff in ensuring all unique characteristics of your property are considered in establishing its fair market value.
There are three ways to initiate an Informal Review:
- Complete the Online Form. This is the fastest and most convenient way to initiate an Informal Review.
- Call the Assessor's Answer Center at 901-379-7333.
- Visit one of the Assessor's two convenient locations.
To assist in the Informal Review, property owners should submit documentation that supports your opinion of the value of the property in question. Examples of such documentation include:
- Sales price of similar properties in the immediate area within the last two years
- Recent private appraisal
- Photos of the property
- Any other information the property owner believes will assist appraisers in analyzing the property's fair market value.
Documentation/information may be submitted by using the online form, by faxing 901-379-7197, by mail, email or by dropping it off at one of two convenient locations. You should include your property's parcel identification number for all pieces of documentation submitted.
After a careful analysis of your Informal Review, you will receive a written decision of the review's outcome prior to May 1, 2009. Property owners who disagree with the results of their Informal Review can appeal to the Shelby County Board of Equalization.
What is the appeal process?
- Shelby County Board of Equalization (SCBoE)
The Board of Equalization is an independent body that meets beginning May 1, of each tax year. The SCBoE will accept 2009 appeals beginning May 1, 2009 until the end of its regular session on July 31, 2009. Failure to file an appeal could result in the assessment becoming final without further right of appeal.
- State Board of Equalization (SBoE)
If property owners disagree with the County Board of Equalization's resolution, they may appeal to the SBoE, which meets as needed in Shelby County. Anyone filing an appeal at the SBoE must pay a fee to defray part of the cost of processing and hearing property tax appeals at the state level. Part of the fee (up to $6) is for the cost of processing appeals and is nonrefundable. The remainder is for the cost of hearing appeals and is refundable to the extent the appeal is successful or resolved without a hearing. The fee is proportionate to the value of the property under appeal. For information regarding the fee schedule, please contact the SBoE at 615-401-7883.
- Assessment Appeals Commission
The next step is to appeal to the Assessment Appeals Commission. This commission meets as needed in Shelby County.
- Tennessee State Board of Equalization
The Tennessee State Board of Equalization holds periodic meetings in Nashville on an as-needed basis.
- Courts
The final step in the appeals process is to file suit in Chancery Court.
This section of my site was created solely as an information basis and is no way meant to guarantee a change in your assessment with the Shelby County Tax Assessors office. All information on this page is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please contact a local Shelby County Tax Assessors office for further information.
