The Sonoma County Assessor’s Office suggests, Don’t pay!
According to a press release issued Tuesday, local property owners have been receiving solicitations by mail for payment to pursue a reduction in their property taxes. The assessor’s office sought to clarify that there is no charge to file an application for tax reduction nor for the county staff to review the application.
Reportedly, some companies are charging hundreds of dollars to file for assessed value reduction on behalf of the property owner, and some companies are even imposing “late fees” if the application is received after an arbitrary deadline. The assessor’s office says that no fees are necessary and that no special processing will be accorded to applications submitted by a third party.
Some 50,000 single-family homes and condos purchased between July 2002 and June 2008, and even earlier in some areas, are already being reviewed by the assessor. All owners whose valuations are reviewed will receive a letter by the end of August 2009 notifying them of the results of the review. Owners who disagree with the findings can then file an “Informal Request for Decline in Market Value” by Oct. 31, 2009.
Property owners whose property is not included in the review may still file a simple “Informal Request for Decline in Market Value” application. It is available for download at www.sonoma-county.org/assessor or for pickup at the assessor’s office in Santa Rosa. The same Oct. 31, 2009, filing deadline applies.
The assessor’s office further advises that private companies offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate that they are not a government agency and that their services are not approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure to provide such notice is a violation of California law, and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Environmental and Consumer Law Division can be reached at 707.565.3161. The assessor’s office may be reached at 707.565.1888.
