How to Appeal Real Estate Taxes in Costa Mesa

It’s been a long, slow road to recovery in Costa Mesa. Since the beginning of the real estate downturn in late 2006, we have lost more than 30% of value from the market peak. However, those losses don’t always show on your tax bill from the OC Tax assessor for your Costa Mesa real estate.

 

 

The tax assessor can raise your property taxes each year about 2% locally here for any Costa Mesa properties that are not protected by Proposition 13. And a 2% hike can mean an awful lot of money, especially if you bought a home near the height of the market.

 

Each year you are entitled to appeal what the assessor says your value currently is in Costa Mesa. Now How? How to Appeal Real Estate Taxes in Costa Mesa – pretty simple, go to their website and click on the “Forms” link. There you will find a one page assessment review form. It needs to be filled out with the property information and there is a space to include several comparable sales for your neighborhood. The County Assessor will contact you to present and discuss their findings. If you are unhappy with the Assessors proposal, you can file a request for a formal review between July 2nd and Sept 15th. You will then have an opportunity to present your case in person to the Assessor. More Info on the process can be found here.

 

If home sales in your neighborhood have dropped lower than the value of your home on your Costa Mesa Property Tax Bill you may be eligible to have your property taxes lowered. The period for filing an informal assessment review with the County is January 1st to April 30th of each year. This is essentially the easiest and quickest way to have the value of your home reviewed. Even though the Assessor claims they are proactive in reviewing property assessments, I feel that having the homeowner be proactive is much more prudent. Be sure to submit it prior to the deadline of April 30th, or you will have to pay the current bill and wait an entire year to resubmit your request.

If you have questions regarding this process or need comparable sales in your neighborhood, please do not hesitate to contact me. You will need comparable sales (“Comps”) from your neighborhood for the period between January and April last year. Need help with those? I have helped lots of people in Costa Mesa circles with comps. If you need ’em, please ask!

Interested in Costa Mesa or in help for your appeal? I would love to talk to you! I can be reached at (714) 743-9882 or E-mail me here to reach me.