Web Site CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com Announces New Generation of Web-based Services to Automate Filing Residential Property Tax Appeals in California

November 30 is the last day for California homeowners to request a formal property tax appeal. Last-minute filers can use online tools at CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com to prepare an appeal in less than 10 minutes.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 12, 2008 -- Under Proposition 8, homeowners are entitled to a temporary reduction in their property taxes due to a decline in property value, according to CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com. This reduction is only available if the assessed value of a property is more than the market value as of January 1, 2008.

Homeowners in California only have until November 30, 2008, to request a formal property tax appeal and dates vary by County when informal property tax appeals are due. The confusion about appeal dates stems from the differences between the formal and informal process for a property tax reduction. The informal appeal is handled through each County's Assessor's office. This is the most expeditious means of appealing a property's assessed value. There is a form used to prepare a Prop. 8 temporary reduction in value request. Generally, property owners supplement this form with comparable sales from the neighborhood that will be evaluated by the Assessor. If a reduction is granted, then property owners get a refund or a smaller property tax bill.

Since the process is informal, the published dates are not locked in stone and vary considerably by County. As this chart demonstrates (most populous Counties), practices for informal property tax appeals vary widely from Orange County which locked the doors at the end of April, 2008 to Alameda where the doors are open until the end April, 2009. On the other hand, formal appeals are due by November 30, 2008.

County Assessment Appeal Filing Periods For 2008:

County    Formal Process Deadline     Informal Process Deadline

Alameda    9/15/08    4/10/09

Contra Costa    11/30/08    12/31/08

Fresno    11/30/08    12/31/08

Los Angeles    11/30/08    12/31/08

Orange    9/15/08    4/30/08

Riverside    11/30/08    9/1/08

Sacramento    11/30/08    12/1/08

San Bernardino    11/30/08    11/30/08

San Diego    11/30/08    5/30/08

San Francisco    9/15/08    8/15/08

Santa Clara    9/15/08    9/15/08

Ventura    11/30/08    12/31/08

While informal appeals should be the first step in filing an appeal, property owners should also file a formal property tax appeal if the Assessor's response will not be known before the formal appeal deadline. Unless owners file a formal appeal, then they will have to accept the Assessor's opinion. With a formal appeal "Request for Changed Assessment", property owners have the advantage of an independent review by either a Hearing Officer or the Assessment Appeals Board. Generally, it makes sense to request a Hearing Officer and not go through the formalities of the Assessment Appeals Board for a residential property appeal.

The disadvantage of a formal appeal is that it will take longer, estimated to be at least 6 to 9 months. However, property owners don't have to go on to the formal appeal if they can reach agreement with the Assessor before the hearing. If property owners reach agreement with the Assessor or if they go to the Hearing and a lower value is granted, they will get a refund with interest. Since all formal appeals must be filed by November 30, 2008, property owners should consider filing both appeals at the same time.

No surprise, but home buyers from 2003 forward have the best opportunity for a property tax reduction. First American LoanPerformance says "California was the nation's worst housing market with prices falling at a 24.37% annual rate as of late April. California has held this dubious distinction since May '07." What this suggests is that recent homebuyers should, on average, expect a similar reduction in their property tax bill.

By now homeowners received a notice with the assessed value of their property from the Assessor. California homeowners have until November 30th to file a Formal appeal while Informal appeal due dates may have already passed or may be open as late as April, 2009 in Alameda. There will be a crush of property tax appeals filed at the last minute in November, making it desirable to get in line well before the final due date.

Complete your appeals in less than 10 minutes using our Automated property tax appeal service CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com. AutoAppeal™, automates the entire property tax appeal process, allowing you to prepare your Formal and Informal Appeals, supporting eValuation™ Workbook along with supporting eBook "How to reduce California Residential Property Taxes" for $49.99. AutoForms™ provides Formal and Informal Appeal Forms and Comparables Sales for only $29.99. With AutoRep™, we file your appeals and represent you before the Tax Assessor and Assessment Appeals Board (if necessary) for $249.

Professional staff supports CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com with a background in Big 4 Accounting Firms. At CaliforniaPropTaxAppeal.com our automated property tax appeal process was designed by CPA, Jeffery Morris who was a 15 year Tax Partner with Big 4 Accounting Firm KPMG where he served as leader of the state and local tax practice on the West Coast. In that capacity, Mr. Morris led the automation process for various state and local tax filing requirements. Mr. Morris has also served as adjunct professor at USC, CSUF and Golden Gate where he was honored as instructor of the year. Mr. Morris has published articles on property taxes and other federal and state tax issues.

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