Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A PROPERTY TAX AGENT?
A property tax agent is a property owners representative for property tax appeal matters. The tax agent is authorized by the property owner to accept a reduction in property taxes, usually from an assessment appeal board or county assessor.
The tax agent attends all assessment appeal hearings for their client and represents their client by presenting information which supports a reduction in property taxes.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO EVALUATE MY SITUATION?
You will have an answer in under a week. We will let you know if your property is a good candidate for tax reduction and we will let you know how much your property is over-assessed.

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET MY TAX REDUCTION STARTED?
A recent property tax bill so we can review your property tax situation.

CAN I HIRE YOU TO REDUCE MY PROPERTY TAXES?
Yes, we are experienced property tax agents available to help our clients save money on their property taxes. Visit "We Can Appeal Your Tax" for more information.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LOWER MY PROPERTY TAX?
Cost varies depending on complexity and may be contingency based or fixed fee. Our fees are the very reasonable and include full service. Our TARS Report cost may be applied to Property Tax Appeal services.

WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTY DO YOU REPRESENT?
All property types in the Southern California including Commercial, Industrial and Luxury Residential.
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ARE ALL PROPERTY TAX AGENTS THE SAME?
We are experienced former Deputy Assessor’s, Advanced Certified Tax Appraisers, Real Estate Agents and full time Tax Agents with more than 20 years of experience with Property Tax Reduction. We specialize in Assessment Appeals.

Terms and Definitions

Proposition 8 (decline in value) is a temporary reduction in assessed value based on a overall decline in the fair market value of a property in relation to its current assessed value.

Base Value Is the original assessed value of a property typically based on purchase price in an open market transaction or when newly constructed. After 4 years Base Value is assumed to be correct.

M&C (misfortune and calamity) is a value reduction to property due to disaster (ex. Flood fire earthquake). Assessed value is temporarily reduced to reflect actual damage to property.

New Construction is any addition or alteration which enhances the value of property and excludes replacement. This includes pools and patios, room additions, complete structures and onsite improvements.

Lien Date is the date in which taxes become a lien on property. The Lien date is January 1 of any given year and is the date of value for decline in value (proposition 8) appeals.

Date of Death is the date of value for transfer of property of a decedent. Property may be reassessed upon date of death.

Depreciation is any loss in value due to any cause inside or outside of property. It may be due to age, design or location.

Contamination is typically related to land and its impaired value, estimated by cost to cure or repair the damage to land.

Ownership Issues are related to changes in title which may (or may not) re-assessable. Ownership issues typically are not value issues but related to how title is held before and after a change in ownership. For example removing a co-signor from title is non re-appraisable.

Assessed Value is the taxable value of a property against which a tax rate is applied to arrive at total property tax.

Improvements are all buildings, structures, fixtures, walls and fences affixed to the land.

Escape Assessment is a tax assessment made after the close of the regular assessment roll.

Supplemental Assessment is a tax assessment for a change in value due to new construction or ownership change.

WE CAN APPEAL YOUR TAXES

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