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What Is A Property Tax Consultant

Posted on May 27, 2008 in the Property taxes category

property tax appealsConsumer Reports has published that property tax records show an error rate of 40% exists in estimating property taxes. (Nov.1992 v57 nil p.723) This has to do with the information written on you property record cards. With the decline in real estate values, finding lower priced homes to favorably compare against is a cinch!

The National Taxpayers Union writes that as many as 60% of all homeowners are over-assessed and not in line with their home value. (“How To Fight Property Taxes” 2004 p.1)

Click Here to request by email a free Property Tax Report to learn more about what legal loopholes to look at and ALL the specific ways you can do to lower your property taxes.

 

Property tax consultants are similar to property tax attorneys except they have no special law degree, but do work to achieve results. You can use a property tax consultant to reduce or protect your taxes on a property. They can help you with filing the paperwork for an appeal, help you find all the necessary documentation and they will attend all the hearings with you. Most of the property tax consultant company’s have their own qualified appraisers. The consultants have valuable resources for obtaining needed information before entering any property tax hearing so you are prepared.

Property tax consultants have to be properly educated to work as a licensed tax consultant. To become licensed, a consultant needs to file an application with said state, understand and commit to the code of ethics, submit to a criminal background check and complete the required education that the board approves for all property tax consultants in every individual state. After all of these requirements are complete, you are then certified or denied a license to be a tax consultant. A lawyer however just has to apply for a tax consultant license since they have had the law school training.

To become a property tax consultant, you need to have a high school diploma and at least four hours of continuing education classes that pertain to the legal system. A company that has a senior tax consultant also must employ the applicant and you need to pay the registration fees. In some states, a licensed real estate broker can apply for and receive a property tax consultant license as well.

Should You Use A property Tax Attorney Or A Consultant

This is a question that is best answered by asking yourself, who will service you better. In most cases, both will be suited for the work. The attorney may cost more, but they both can do a superb job of helping you with any of your property tax issues. The consultant may be dedicated to your particular case, where an attorney may have many clients to work with at one time. The choice is really up to what you want and who will make you feel better about doing the work. Most consultants work with their own appraisers, which makes it easier to get the results you need faster than if an attorney, has to wait for a company to become available.

In either case, you can choose someone that is qualified to help you dispute your property tax bill or any other issues you may have with the bill. Keep in mind that if you use an attorney or a tax consultant, you will still have to pay them to represent and help you with the process whether you win your appeal or not. This is true in almost all cases, unless you find a company or attorney that guarantees results or you do not pay. This is however very rare for professionals that are established in the business and have a reputable business practice.

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Comments

7 Responses to “What Is A Property Tax Consultant”

  1. hypotheque on May 27th, 2008 4:01 pm

    Professional property tax consultant is only named in Switzerland? How is the situation of this profession in other European countries or North America? I need to consult a professional people about the property tax.

  2. Jonathan Frank on May 28th, 2008 8:46 pm

    I never really analyzed the difference between the two. Property taxes are really frustrating. Many times the city doesn’t use proper judgement value a house.

  3. Fast Loan UK on May 30th, 2008 7:00 am

    thanks for that info. now i know the difference between them. :)

  4. Adam on June 2nd, 2008 5:47 pm

    Where can I find property tax consultants in my area?

  5. HIPS on July 2nd, 2008 1:48 pm

    The key is to make sure the person you choose is fully qualified and licensed.

  6. Houston Housing Market on August 13th, 2008 3:35 pm

    I am with Adam because this is a service that I might take advantage of. Where can I find a property tax consultant in the Houston metro area.

  7. lifestyle on September 29th, 2008 8:04 am

    The property taxes are different in different countries – is there some manual available which compares the same?

    http://www.life-styl.com

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