Michigan Property Tax Appeals

Think you’re paying too much in property taxes?

If you haven’t reviewed your property taxes recently, you probably are. When was the last time your home, commercial, or industrial property was assessed? With the recent decline in property values, many property owners are now in a position to reduce their property taxes and save money for years to come. Attorney Aaron M Fales has been helping clients save millions on their property taxes through skilled negotiation and litigation since 2002 and would be happy to give you an opinion on your property tax situation.

Commercial and Industrial Properties

Have you recently purchased property or has it been years since your property was appraised? You may be eligible for a property tax reduction. Each year, the property tax assessor assigns a State Equalized Value (SEV) to commercial and industrial real property. The SEV is used by Municipalities to determine your tax assessment. On the plus side, with the passage of Proposal A, the taxable value of a commercial or industrial property can only increase each year by the lesser of the rate of inflation, or 5%- whichever is lesser. This is beneficial in times where property values are increasing, however, it does nothing for our current climate where property values are decreasing.

The Law Office of Aaron M Fales is experienced in successfully negotiating property tax reductions for commercial and industrial property owners in Michigan. To see if you may qualify for a substantial reduction in commercial or industrial property tax, call today- 248-767-9840. What you don’t know about property tax appeals could be costing you thousands of dollars every year.

We’ve saved our clients millions of dollars in property taxes. We can help you too!

Residential Properties

Residential property taxes are based on the “fair market value” of your home. This means the amount of money a person would be willing to purchase your home for- if it was for sale. The county’s property assessor determines your home’s value.

Mistakes can happen. In most cases, the assessor doesn’t actually go to the home- it will be assessed using an automated valuation tool. So things that decrease your property value would not be taken into consideration- like an old roof or old siding that needs to be replaced. Additionally, home values are not always updated year-to-year. If the houses in your area are selling for less than they did when you bought the house, or less than they did when your house was last appraised, your home may be over-assessed.

How can you tell if your property is over-assessed? To help you decide if you should contest your property tax, first go to your county’s website. See if your home’s description accurately describes your home. If you find discrepancies like too many bedrooms, bathrooms, or square footage, you may have a case. Next, review your last property tax bill. Compare your property’s assessment to what other similar homes in your neighborhood are selling for. If you are assessed higher than the average sale price, you may be over-assessed.

The best and most accurate way to determine if you are paying too much in property tax is to consult a property tax attorney. Call the Law Office of Aaron M Fales for a no obligation consultation. Call 248-767-9840.

You have a legal right to contest your property tax. At The Law Office of Aaron M Fales, we predominantly represent property owners contesting their property taxes on a contingency basis (or other arrangement if desired). If we lose the appeal on a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t owe us a fee! If we win, we take our legal fees as a percentage of your tax savings. It can’t hurt to get a second opinion. Call 248-767-8940 to see how much you can save!