How to Find a Property Appraiser in Broward County
Whether you’re a home owner or a business owner, you may need the services of a property appraiser in Broward County. If you are unsure of how to go about hiring an appraiser, read this article to learn more about how you can get a fair appraisal on your property.
Search for a property appraiser in Broward County
Those looking to find a property appraiser in Broward County have a wealth of information available on the Internet. The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Website is a great place to begin, as it breaks down land, building and total assessment values. The website also provides links to other information related to real property in Broward County.
The Broward County Value Adjustment Board is an independent appeals board with jurisdiction over property valuations and denials of classifications. The board appoints Special Magistrates, qualified real estate appraisers, who determine only the market value of a property.
Broward County also has a website, aptly named the Owner Alert website, which provides information about ownership changes. Property owners can sign up for free and be notified of changes in their properties.
Get a non-ad valorem assessment in your tax bill
Getting a non-ad valorem assessment in your tax bill is a good way to help you offset the costs of municipal services. It can help you save money if you know how the process works.
Non-ad valorem assessments are paid in advance, and are based on a unit of measure. This is determined by the levying authority. The unit of measure may be a millage rate, which is a tax rate per thousand dollars of taxable value. The millage rate is usually based on the levying authority’s fiscal year. Depending on the levying authority, the assessment period may run from January 1 through December 31 or October 1 through September 30.
Special Taxing Districts are areas where the property owner has agreed to allow public improvements. These include security services, street lighting, capital improvements, and multipurpose maintenance.
Appeal against a property appraiser and revenue collector
During the past year, fewer than seven percent of property owners in Broward County, Florida, have appealed their property tax assessments. In fact, according to figures from the Florida Department of Revenue, more than 140,000 tax adjustment petitions were filed in 2011. However, fewer than one-third of these appeals were successful.
The Value Adjustment Board, or VAB, is an independent board that hears appeals of property appraiser’s decisions and tax collector determinations. It is composed of two members of the county governing board and two layperson taxpayers. The board has authority to determine whether a property is worth the appraised value, and whether the classifications and exemptions are valid.
The Property Appraiser’s Office sends out a Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (also known as a TRIM Notice), which is an estimate of the proposed property taxes for the following year. This notice includes a deadline to appeal the assessment. If the appeal is successful, the property owner is refunded the difference in tax.
