Darke County Auditor, Carol Ginn, and Sheriff Toby Spencer are warning property owners to beware of companies offering to assist with valuation appeals.
Tax Compliance Services, LLC of Cleveland has mailed letters to area residents saying they could be overpaying their taxes because “the County” value of their property might be in error.
Ginn said owners can do the research on their own and can file an appeal for no charge with the Board of Revision (BOR).
“We often advise homeowners to contact a Realtor who is active in their area for an independent opinion of their value,” she said. “They can also review recent sales of comparable properties on our website at www.darkecountyrealestate.org.”
“The information is available and easy to access,” said Ginn. “Why pay some out-of-town company to provide what you can get for free?” she asked. She said similar letters have been mailed to property owners in counties across the state.
She noted that on one can offer a “guarantee” of a value reduction by the BOR. “Promises of ‘risk free’ filings are extremely misleading. Each case is considered on its merits and the BOR can increase a value”, she said.
The BOR is a three-member board which includes a representative appointed by a County Commissioner, the County Treasurer, and the Auditor.
Auditor Ginn completed a full reappraisal last year and the new values became effective with the first tax bill this year. Owners who believe their value is inaccurate should make sure their BOR complaint forms are received by the Auditors office by 4:30 p.m. on April 1, 2013.
Complaint forms and instructions are available from the Auditors office or may be accessed on the Auditor’s website.
Tax Compliance Services, LLC of Cleveland has mailed letters to area residents saying they could be overpaying their taxes because “the County” value of their property might be in error.
Ginn said owners can do the research on their own and can file an appeal for no charge with the Board of Revision (BOR).
“We often advise homeowners to contact a Realtor who is active in their area for an independent opinion of their value,” she said. “They can also review recent sales of comparable properties on our website at www.darkecountyrealestate.org.”
“The information is available and easy to access,” said Ginn. “Why pay some out-of-town company to provide what you can get for free?” she asked. She said similar letters have been mailed to property owners in counties across the state.
She noted that on one can offer a “guarantee” of a value reduction by the BOR. “Promises of ‘risk free’ filings are extremely misleading. Each case is considered on its merits and the BOR can increase a value”, she said.
The BOR is a three-member board which includes a representative appointed by a County Commissioner, the County Treasurer, and the Auditor.
Auditor Ginn completed a full reappraisal last year and the new values became effective with the first tax bill this year. Owners who believe their value is inaccurate should make sure their BOR complaint forms are received by the Auditors office by 4:30 p.m. on April 1, 2013.
Complaint forms and instructions are available from the Auditors office or may be accessed on the Auditor’s website.