You will miss this deadline if you do not read carefully - and you may need a magnifying glass to find it.  Within the past two weeks you should have received in the mail a “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” or “TRIM Notice” from your county property tax appraiser.  Buried at the bottom of your  Notice is an important deadline for appealing your tax assessment.

Note these Deadlines:

-   Miami-Dade: The Miami-Herald reports the deadline is September 13;  however the deadline for you is at the bottom of your Notice according to the Property Appraiser’s web site.  This is the deadline that is binding on you.

-   Broward:  September 19

-   Palm Beach:  September 16

-   Monroe:  25th day following mailing of Notice

Should You Appeal? Approximately 40% of appellants are able to successfully challenge their property tax assessments.  The cost to appeal is only $15.  However, these figures have little meaning if the appeal fails or takes away valuable time you could otherwise be investing in other work.

What To Do: If your tax assessment has significantly increased, we recommend you have the valuation screened  by a professional who is experienced in challenging assessments before the Value Adjustment Board.     Many professional appraisers will take your case on a contingency fee; you simply need to pay the $15 filing fee.   You need to make your own independent assessment of a professional to do this work.

Remember: It is not necessary to have all your evidence before you file.   If in doubt, pay the $15 and file your appeal.   The most important goal at this point is to get your appeal filed on a timely basis if you want to appeal.  After the deadline, it is exceptionally difficult to file.

If you have questions regarding this deadline, call Attorney Tanya Garcia Vega with Rarick & Associates, P.A. at (305) 556-5209.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is of a general nature and is not intended to answer any individual’s legal questions. Do not rely on information presented herein to address your individual legal concerns. If you have a legal question about your individual facts and circumstances, you should consult a Florida attorney.