In the picturesque landscape of Park City, Utah, where the beauty of real estate is complemented by stunning natural surroundings, property taxes can sometimes bring unexpected surprises.  As highlighted by The Park Record on August 2, 2023, property values experienced a substantial increase, prompting residents to explore avenues for appeal. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the property tax appeal process and secure a fair assessment for your home.

Understanding Your Valuation:

Summit County's Assessor’s Office has introduced an interactive web platform to assist residents in understanding their property valuation. This tool provides valuable information such as market values, taxable values, year built, and square footage for single-family homes, condominiums, and commercial properties. Similarly, Wasatch County offers an online map tool to help property owners assess the equity of their tax assessment, providing a comprehensive view of property values.

Filing an Appeal:

If you believe your property's assessed value is inaccurate, you can file an appeal with the Assessor’s Office. We are happy to discuss with you the values we see for similar properties. For additional support, we can provide a referral to a local appraiser to help determine the fairness of your assessed value. Contact us directly for this information, as it has proven to be an effective way to achieve a successful appeal outcome. If you've recently purchased your property with a current appraisal falling below the county's version, consider this professional appraisal as valid evidence for your appeal.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to deciding whether to appeal:

Ensure that your primary residence is correctly categorized on the property tax notice. Primary residences are taxed at 55% of their assessed value. Even rental properties can qualify as primary residences if someone lives there year-round. Information and forms for the primary residence exemption can be found for Summit County here and for Wasatch County here.

Verify the accuracy of the number of rooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Errors in property descriptions can be corrected through a reappraisal or by submitting architectural drawings to the assessor’s office.

Preparing Your Appeal:

File your appeal within 45 days of receiving your property tax notice. For Summit County, download the Board of Equalization Appeal Form here and either email it to boe@summitcounty.org or mail it to Summit County BOE, PO Box 128, Coalville, UT 84017. For Wasatch County, use the online Board of Equalization Appeal Form here. Include a copy of your property tax notice and any evidence, such as an appraisal, sales comparable to your property, or MLS data, to support your appeal.

After Filing:

Decisions depend on the availability and workload of the Board of Equalization Appeal Officers and could take several weeks. Once a decision is reached, you can expect to receive a “Notice of Determination.” If your appeal is denied, keep in mind that you cannot appeal your final property tax bill when it is received in November.

Contact Information:

For Summit County Assessor’s Office, call 435-336-3253, or visit them at the county courthouse in Coalville, at 60 North Main Street. The Assessor can be emailed at spoll@summitcounty.org. For Wasatch County, call 435-654-3221, or email Assessor@wasatch.utah.gov.

In conclusion, as responsible residents supporting the services of our county, it’s essential to ensure that our property tax bills accurately reflect the level of support we provide. For any questions or referrals to qualified local appraisers, do not hesitate to reach out to us at (435) 640-0217.