How do tax assessments get so messed up?

Question

Was talking to someone about their house today, and he said his house was assessed at $156,000. But I called the tax assessor said they have it as a single family, so it's probably good I didn't go off that number. How does this happen? I've seen properties assessed with extra bedroom and bathrooms as well.

David M. · Answer

@Noah McPherson

I think what you are talking about is somewhere between administrative errors and unpermitted changes to the property.  In general, there is this huge "anti-permit" sentiment.  Lets face it, nobody likes Government in their business, even if it is a small government.  Furthermore, many of the complaints I hear about are just because they don't know how inspection work (e.g. during a major remodel there are rough and final inspections) and that inspectors don't show up 5min after they call them (yes, certain types of inspections that how it has to work, but not for home remodels).  Around me, one inspectors works for different towns (not enough work) so maybe plumbing inspections are just Tues and Thurs afternoons.  Just plan your work accordingly and call ahead...

So... If the owner doesn't file the paperwork that they are adding or deleting a feature, the town will never know.  Sometimes the paperwork from the Construction Dept may get lost / not recorded with the Assessor's Office.  Remember, reduced permit requirements (e.g. in my area you no longer need a permit to redo your roof) just means the Assessor has no idea that that work was done and cannot try to adjust property assessments accordingly...

Hope that helps.

Bill B. · Answer

The assessed value means nothing!  Please click on the magnifying glass in the upper right if you need more info. This is literally asked monthly if not weekly. I wouldn’t sell you any of my properties for double their assessed value, probably not for triple.

TLDR; About 5-10 years ago the counties got sick of people protesting their property tax assessed values. So they jacked up the tax rate and lowered the values. Everyone got a slight tax break that year but made future increases much easier. (Imagine cutting the value in half and doubling the rate.) now when they raise the value (and your taxes) 10% you can’t say your property isn’t worth 55% of what it really is.