If 2020 taught us anything, it was how to use online features and online conferencing to get things done. With many assessment officials working from home it can be a little more difficult to appeal your assessment, but wait, it may be easier for some. Most modern assessors have a website dedicated to everything assessment, including accessing property record cards, valuation worksheets, and even recent sales. Those offices that haven’t hit the 21st century yet may need to email or even snail mail your information to you.

Let us fast forward. You gathered everything you need and came up with an accurate and true valuation that is much less than your current assessment. The next step (during the appeal period) is to submit this information to your local assessment official. Let’s say they don’t agree with the full amount you requested and you decide to appeal to the next level. You will need to check with that office to make certain how they want the appeal submitted. Some appeals are required to be mailed in and in triplicate (one for your local city or township assessor, one for the county assessor, and one for the Board of Review) while others can be submitted with the click of a mouse.

Its time for a hearing. In the event you are asked to appear before the Board of Review, most of these hearings are now done through online meeting places such as Teams or Zoom. Once a date is set for a hearing, it likely won’t be able to be changed. You will receive notification either by mail or email with a link for the meeting. If you have never used video conferencing, you may want to give it a try before the meeting to ensure of your internet quality and just to familiarize yourself with that system. It is a great idea to be in a room with good lighting and away from other noise that may distract you or the appeal board. Have all of your papers handy and organized. These meetings are usually painless and beat driving to a specific location just to sit and wait your turn.