Show All Answers

1. What is reassessment?

Reassessment is the reevaluation of all properties in a given area for the purpose of establishing a new tax base. Tax bills are the product of the assessed valuation of the property and the cost of municipal, county and school district services. Remember, reassessment is not tax reform.

Taxes continue to support the municipality in which you live, your school district and the County. Reassessment does not change this. The Legislature promulgates laws that affect how property is taxed. These laws are then interpreted by the Department of Local Government Finance who are responsible for drafting and writing new appraisal manuals, rules and regulations, bulletins, directives, and forms for the assessment of real property. In addition, the courts, particularly the Tax Court and the Supreme Court issue rulings that may clarify or change the scope and direction of reassessment activities.

2. Why do we have cyclical reassessment?

Cyclical reassessment is required by law to insure that each property is valued fairly. The purpose of property tax reassessment is to realign the values of real property that are determined with values of other kinds of property that are assessed annually, such as personal property, utilities, and mobile homes.

3. Can I determine if my taxes will increase with reassessment?

Not necessarily. It is paramount that we arrive at fair values during the reassessment, but no one really knows precisely how this reassessment will impact our property taxes. Reassessment will change the assessed value of the property but reassessment should not have any bearing on the budgetary needs of the taxing jurisdictions.

So, in theory, the tax rate will decrease to compensate for the increase in assessed value; a property that receives an average increase should only see a nominal change in taxes. Typically following a reassessment, 1/3 of the parcels decrease, 1/3 increase and 1/3 stay relatively the same.

4. How is cyclical reassessment conducted?

Over the next 4 years an experienced data collector will visit each property to gather information. Each of our reassessment data collectors are registered with the County Sheriff and carries an identification card for verification. It is our goal to conduct an exterior inspection of each home and business.

After checking to see if anyone is at home, our data collectors will take a picture of the outside of your property, identify any physical changes and improvements to the property, and record any necessary measurements.

5. How can I make sure my assessment is correct?

First of all, talk to your County Assessor or Township Office! They work for you and want to do the best possible job. Offer them information about the value of your property if you disagree with your assessment. Please don't ignore notices, letters, and visits to your property by assessors and their employees. Feel free to compare your proposed assessment with the proposed assessment of properties similar to yours.

6. What about business, commercial, industrial or public properties?

Reassessment works much the same way as for residential properties. Trained commercial and industrial data collectors gather information such as physical characteristics, replacement costs, land values and circumstances regarding any recent property purchases. Income and expenses information may be requested because it is related to what investors are willing to pay for property.