The assessment notice is the roadmap for deciding whether action is needed. It tells you what the assessor believes, what changed, and how quickly you must respond.
Confirm the property and tax year
Check the owner name, parcel number, property address, assessment year, and any stated valuation date. A simple clerical mismatch can create confusion later.
Compare current and prior values
Look at each value shown on the notice and compare it with the prior year. Some notices separately list market value, assessed value, and taxable value. Do not assume those labels mean the same thing.
Review exemptions and classification
Confirm that any exemption you expect to receive appears correctly. Also check property classification when shown, because classification can affect assessment rules or tax treatment.
Find the deadline before doing anything else
Appeal periods can be short. Put the deadline on your calendar immediately, then work backward to create enough time to obtain records and comparable sales.
Read the filing instructions
Determine whether the first step is an informal assessor review, written petition, local board hearing, online filing, or another procedure. Note whether documents must be submitted with the filing or can be provided later.
Compare the notice to the assessor’s property record
The notice may not show the data behind the value. Obtain the record card and check the characteristics that feed into the assessment.
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Frequently asked questions
Property tax FAQ
What should I look for first on an assessment notice?
Identify the assessment year, property or parcel number, current and prior values, exemptions, notice date, and appeal deadline.
Is the assessment notice the same as the tax bill?
Not always. The assessment notice commonly reports values used in taxation, while the tax bill applies tax rates and other charges to the taxable amount.
What if the notice lists the wrong owner or property facts?
Contact the assessor promptly, document the error, and ask whether it requires an assessment appeal, a clerical correction, or another procedure.
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