how to select a property tax attorney

How to Select a Property Tax Attorney.

• 1. Make a list of local tax attorneys. Search online for tax attorneys, by typing in “tax attorney” and then your state. If you live in Alabama, for ...
• 2. Gather referrals from people you know. Ask friends or business associates if they have ever worked with a property tax attorney. Ask them about ...
• 3. Review each attorney’s website. Once you have a list of attorneys, run web searches to look for their website. It is standard practice today for ...
• 4. Check online reviews. Many websites offer free reviews of businesses, including law firms and individual attorneys. Some places to look for reviews ...

Full Answer

How do I choose the best property tax attorney?

There are three main attributes to consider when you are looking to hire a commercial property tax attorney: Legal Knowledge: When you meet with or interview an attorney, they should have a command of the law and not need to defer to research. Ask specific questions about your case.

How do I know if my real estate attorney is good?

An attorney has in-depth knowledge of the taxpayer’s rights and potential remedies. A consultant is the person who can serve as a link between the attorney and the property owner, and in large cases your attorney will assemble a team of consultants and experts. Utilizing a property tax attorney who is also a Senior Property Tax Consultant ...

How do I find a qualified property tax attorney?

Property Tax Lawyers in Tampa. In Tampa, Florida, the government imposes a tax (a legally-mandated payment made to the government) on real property. "Real property" is specified as any piece of land, or object permanently or semi-permanently fixed to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).

How do I select an estate planning attorney?

Look for Experience. A leading factor in success is the amount of specific experience an attorney has had. You need to find a licensed attorney who has been practicing real estate law in your state and has handled cases similar to yours. Interview more than one attorney.

How to hire a property tax attorney?

There are three main attributes to consider when you are looking to hire a commercial property tax attorney: 1 Legal Knowledge: When you meet with or interview an attorney, they should have a command of the law and not need to defer to research. Ask specific questions about your case. In most cases, the attorney should be able to address the issues without wanting to research the law. 2 Negotiation Skills: The best possible outcome in a property tax appeal case is when the attorney meets with the assessor’s office, presents your case, the assessor agrees and your taxes are lowered. It does not happen often, but it does happen. While the above scenario happens only in a small percentage of commercial cases, a larger percentage of cases are resolved through negotiation during the process, thus avoiding the cost of going to court. 3 Litigation Skills: Many cases, particularly the larger cases, will end up in court. It is crucial to select a property tax appeals attorney who is not afraid to litigate when required and who has been successful in front of a judge. It is preferred that the attorney you hire is a good litigator and does not have to rely on another attorney in the firm or outside counsel.

What to consider when hiring a commercial property tax attorney?

There are three main attributes to consider when you are looking to hire a commercial property tax attorney: Legal Knowledge : When you meet with or interview an attorney, they should have a command of the law and not need to defer to research. Ask specific questions about your case.

What is the best outcome in a property tax appeal case?

Negotiation Skills: The best possible outcome in a property tax appeal case is when the attorney meets with the assessor’s office, presents your case, the assessor agrees and your taxes are lowered. It does not happen often, but it does happen.

How to contact Robert Hill Law?

Contact Robert Hill Law To Discuss Your Case. Learn how we can help you through your appeal. Call our Wayzata office at 952-426-7373, or contact our firm online. You can also visit our property tax appeals FAQ page to learn more about these types of cases.

Why is negotiation important in property tax appeals?

The best negotiator is not the same thing as the most aggressive negotiator. This is because the negoti ations of a property tax attorney are always with a member or body of the government. The people on the opposite side are not personally vested in ...

Can a general practice attorney appeal property taxes?

In some areas of the country, many general practice attorneys will offer property tax appeal services and may try to suggest that appealing your property taxes is really just a procedural exercise. This is not what you want to hear.

What are the advantages of hiring a property tax attorney?

The advantages include continuity of services and the attorney’s ability to foresee legal consequences of each decision made along the way. An attorney brings knowledge of prior settlements and the basis for legal arguments concerning fair and uniform evaluations.

What is property tax?

Property taxes for commercial, industrial and high-end residential properties are a major expense and are based on various types of tax assessments. The assessment takes into account a large number of factors, each of which is subject to interpretation.

What is the Texas property tax code?

The Texas Property Tax Code requires owners of personal property used in a business to file tax renditions that summarize the assets and their value. Once the local government assesses all the property, the tax bill is issued, and at that point you can pay it or protest it.

What happens if you file a tax protest?

If you decide to file a tax protest, there will be an informal appraisal district hearing followed by a formal hearing with the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). If the ARB decision is unacceptable, you can appeal the ARB decision in state court.

What is a consultant attorney?

A consultant is the person who can serve as a link between the attorney and the property owner, and in large cases your attorney will assemble a team of consultants and experts.

How many hours does a property tax consultant need?

A property tax consultant, after completing 40 hours of classroom education and passing an exam, can review and appraise property and asset values, prepare renditions, and make recommendation. A Senior Property Tax Consultant has completed additional education requirements beyond those of a property tax consultant and/or passed an exam.

Do you need a lawyer for property tax appeal?

In some cases, taxpayers may pursue arbitration rather than litigation in district court, a process fraught with uncertainty and often resulting in binding decisions. At the point you decide to file an appeal in state court, you need a property tax attorney.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Depending on your geographic location, hourly fees can run from $150-$500 an hour.

What is retainer agreement?

Be certain you understand the rules of engagement. A retainer agreement or an engagement letter will spell out exactly how your business partnership will work. If you don’t understand, educate yourself. If you aren’t comfortable, don’t sign it.

What is the leading factor in success?

A leading factor in success is the amount of specific experience an attorney has had. You need to find a licensed attorney who has been practicing real estate law in your state and has handled cases similar to yours.

How to narrow your list of potential attorneys?

1. Have a preliminary phone consultation. Many attorneys will hold a brief interview with you over the phone. Since these take up less time and require less effort than in-person consultations, you can talk to more attorneys this way and use the phone interviews to narrow your list of possible contenders.

How to plan your estate on your own?

1. Decide whether you need an attorney. If you own very little real estate or personal property, you may be able to use a document kit and plan your estate on your own. However, if you own real estate, have retirement or investment accounts, or own your own business, you should seek professional legal assistance.

What is the state bar association?

State bar associations often offer a lawyer referral service that enables you to meet briefly with a pre-screened attorney after answering a few general questions about your needs.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 35,595 times.

What factors affect the cost of an estate plan?

Many factors will affect the cost of your estate plans, including the experience of the attorney, the type and amount of assets you have, and the complexity of any tax planning. Each attorney should be able to explain clearly how costs are assessed and how rates are computed.

What is estate planning?

Planning your estate involves deciding what will happen to your personal property and real estate after you die. The law provides a default scheme for disposing of property, but relying on that involves a lengthy court process and potentially hefty tax consequences for your heirs. The alternative is to plan things out ahead ...

When do you expect to pay a retainer?

If you are expected to pay a retainer or other up-front fee for her services, she'll expect payment when the agreement is signed. If a retainer is required, make sure you know how much will be returned to you if you decide to go with someone else or abandon your plan before the attorney has finished his work.

How to check your property record card?

Check Your Property Record Card. The first thing to do is check the record card for your property (these records are almost all online, so they are no longer on “cards," but this terminology is still used). You can usually check your record card online at your tax assessor’s website. You can find a link to your assessor’s website ...

What is property tax bill?

The property tax bill is tied to a report prepared by the local tax assessor, based on the assessor's estimation of the market value of your property. Property assessing is an inexact science, so you may have grounds to challenge your bill ...

What happens if the square footage on a property record card is incorrect?

For example, if the square footage on the property record card is incorrect, it is possible that the tax assessor has overvalued your property. If any of the information on the record card is incorrect, contact your assessor’s office to get it corrected.

How long do you have to appeal a property assessment?

Make sure to do so within the appeal period. How long you have to appeal varies. In most counties and cities, you must file an appeal within 30 to 90 days after you receive your annual property assessment notice or letter.

How often do localities reassess property?

Some localities reassess property values every year, others do so every four or five years. Some assessors value each property individually. Many others value your property based on area surveys. Your locality also sets its own appeal process for property owners to dispute tax assessments.

What happens if the value of your property decreases after the assessment?

If the value of your property decreases after the assessment, you may end up paying taxes on a sales price that you can no longer receive on the open market. There are several ways you can show that your property’s assessed value is too high:

What to do if your record card is not available online?

If your record card is not available online, you may have to go to your assessor’s office to view it. The assessor uses the information on your record card to determine your property’s market value. The card contains information such as square footage, condition of the property, and property features. If any of this information is incorrect, the ...