Property tax increased drastically in 2023 - what options do I have to fight this?

Thanks for this info! How exactly do I find comps for my neighborhood? Do I need to hire someone to do this or is there a website I can use? Also, is there a limit to how many times you can appeal an assessment?

You can find comparable home sales data through several methods. Websites like Zillow, Redfin or Realtor.com let you search recent sales in your neighborhood - look for similar homes (square footage, bedrooms, lot size) that sold in the last 6-12 months. Your county assessor's website likely has a property search tool where you can see assessed values of neighboring properties. Some counties even have GIS maps showing this data visually. There's typically no strict limit on how many times you can appeal, but most counties only allow one appeal per assessment cycle (usually annually or whenever reassessments occur). If you miss this year's deadline, you'll need to wait until the next assessment period. Some jurisdictions do have informal review options before the formal appeal, so check if your county offers that two-step process.

This sounds interesting but I'm curious - does this work in all counties/states? My property taxes in Colorado just went up by 40% and I'm freaking out about it. Also, how long did the whole process take from when you submitted everything?

Idk sounds like an ad. How much does this cost? Is it really worth it when I could just file the appeal myself? I'm skeptical of these services that charge for something you can do on your own.

It works in all US counties and states - each locality has different rules for appeals but the system is familiar with all of them. For my Colorado property, the whole process took about 6 weeks from submission to getting the decision, but timing varies by location depending on how backed up your local appeal board is. The value comes from the analysis identifying specific comparable properties and assessment errors that most homeowners wouldn't know to look for. I tried doing it myself the year before and got rejected, then used this approach and won. The documentation they generate looks professional and cites the right local ordinances, which I think made a huge difference in how seriously they took my appeal.

How does this actually work though? Do they have some special connection to government offices or something? I've been trying to reach my county for weeks about my property assessment.

This seems sus. Government offices have terrible hold times for everyone. How would some random service get you through faster? I'm calling BS on this. Probably just trying to collect phone numbers.

They don't have special connections - they use an automated system that waits on hold for you. Basically, they call the assessor's office, navigate through all the prompts, wait on hold (which can be hours sometimes), and then when a human finally answers, their system connects you. It's like having someone else wait in line for you. They don't collect personal data beyond what's needed for the service. They just solved a real problem - the fact that government offices are understaffed and impossible to reach. I was skeptical too before trying it, but when you're desperate to talk to someone about a $1200 tax increase before the appeal deadline, you'll try anything. And it actually worked!

I had no idea about these exemptions! We definitely qualify for the homestead one since this is our primary residence. Do these typically have income limits or other requirements? Also, can I apply for 2023 taxes still or would it only affect 2024?

Most homestead exemptions don't have income limits - they simply require that the home is your primary residence (usually you can only claim one homestead exemption in a state). Some states do offer additional income-based exemptions on top of the standard homestead benefit. For 2023 taxes, it depends on your county. Some allow retroactive applications while others don't. Many counties allow you to apply for the current tax year up until their deadline (often in spring). I'd call your assessor's office ASAP and ask if you can still apply for 2023. If not, definitely get your application in for 2024. Even if you've missed the window for this year, getting it set up for next year is still worthwhile - these exemptions typically remain in place automatically for future years once approved.

I've done it twice in the last 5 years without any special service. First time I just submitted photos showing problems with my property (cracked foundation, water damage in basement) and they reduced my assessment by 8%. Second time I printed out assessment values for 6 similar homes in my neighborhood that were valued lower, and they reduced mine by 12%. The key is documentation and being polite but persistent. The assessor's office isn't personally trying to get more tax money - they're just following their procedures and often working with outdated or incomplete info. If you provide better data, many will adjust accordingly.

That's really helpful to know, thanks! Did you have to attend a hearing or was it all done through paperwork? I'm nervous about having to present my case in person to some board.