Is the abatement application period the same as the third quarter tax payment period?

The period during which you must pay your third quarter actual tax bill extends from the date the tax bills are issued until they are due. This is usually February 1st. If the application is mailed, the postmark must be on or before the due date. Abatement applications filed after this date and time cannot, by law, be acted upon by the Board of Assessors

If you wish to file for abatement, please come by the Assessors Office and pick up an application as soon as you receive your bill. Applications cannot be submitted until after the tax bills are mailed. When filing for an abatement, remember that you are appealing your assessment and not your taxes.

*You must pay your taxes pending your appeal.

The application form is easy to fill out and the information you provide can be brief. But it is important to make a case to support your claim. That is, you need to provide reasons why you feel your assessment is out of line. For example, this can be done by pointing out errors in your property description; and/or by citing recent sales or other specific concerns and comparisons.

Have you refinanced or purchased the property within the last year? It may help speed the abatement process to submit a copy of the report, usually done through a bank or Mortgage Company.

If your Abatement is denied: you will receive a notice indicating your application was denied. You may appeal to the State Appellate

• Tax Board (ATB) within 90 days of the Assessor's decision.
• If your Abatement is approved: you will receive a letter indicating the amount of the abatement.