Revenue offices swamped with home appraisal questions

Like other Montana Department of Revenue offices around the state, the Cascade County office was inundated with calls and visitors for several days after new property appraisal notices were mailed to homeowners the first two weeks of July.

“We had nonstop calls the first two weeks after notices went out and a lot of walk-in traffic,” said Jason Boggess, area manager for the DOR’s Property Assessment Division. “We had maybe 250 Cascade County calls and 200 walk-ins the first two weeks, and it’s slowed quite a bit since.”

Boggess said Revenue Department officials often can help resolve concerns by answering a few questions and explaining the process.

It helps to point out that last appraisal was in 2008 so the current market value, done in 2014, involves six years of market change, he said. The years aren’t stated clearly on the form. In addition, many residents think the term “taxable value” means how much they actually will pay in taxes. In fact, it usually ends up less than that after the county treasurer does a final calculation of mill values and assessment in early September after local government units approve their final budgets.

“Nobody walks away smiling after visiting the Revenue Department about taxes,” Boggess said. “But many are comfortable after the explanations.”

By late July, about one-quarter or maybe 150 Cascade County homeowners had asked the Revenue Department for an informal review of their appraisals, Boggess estimated. Scott Maunu, secretary for the Cascade County Tax Appeal Board, said 12 individuals had filed for formal appeals of their appraisal notices.

Both informal DOR reviews and formal county tax appeal board appeals must be requested within 30 days of the July 22 date listed on the Revenue Department notice letters.

Great Falls attorney Stuart Lewin said he plans to seek either an informal review or a formal appeal after looking more closely at the paperwork he received a few weeks ago.

“I was shocked initially when I looked at the appraisal notice the state mailed me because the market value of my home went up more than 18 percent from the state’s previous appraisal,” he said.

The Department of Revenue notice placed the market value of his lower northside home at $177,000 in 2014, up 18.3 percent from that state’s previous market value of $149,600 in 2008.

Then a couple of days ago Lewin looked up the private appraisal that a bank had done on his home in September when he refinanced his house. It pegged the market value of his home considerably lower, at $145,000.

Lewin said he plans to meet with state DOR officials and will probably file for an informal review of his home appraisal.

“I will show them the considerably lower market value the independent appraiser came up with last year and ask if they’ll lower my market value,” he said.

Lewin said he wants to make sure he still has time within the 30-day limit, or by Aug. 22, to file a formal tax appeal with the Cascade County Tax Appeal Board if he’s not satisfied with the results of the informal stare review.

“I’m happy to pay by fair share of taxes, but want to make sure they’re calculated accurately,” he said.

Officials with the Montana Department of Revenue stress that homeowners confused or unhappy with the new property appraisals they received in early to mid-July have several options.

They can call or drop by the nearest Revenue Department office and have a staff member explain the process and answer questions. In Great Falls, they can call 454-7460, or visit the office, Suite 520 of the US Bank building, 300 Central Ave.

“Just call us or drop by one of our local offices,” Revenue Department spokeswoman Mary Ann Dunwell said. “It’s our job to answer property owner questions and settle your concerns. Our staff will walk you through how we got the appraisal information.”

Property owners also can ask the Revenue Department officials to conduct an informal review of their appraisal. To do so, they must file a Form AB-26 within 30 days of getting the appraisals. Most letters were dated July 22, even if they were sent early in the month. The forms are available in the local DOR offices or online at revenue.mt.gov/appeal-process.

Or homeowners can appeal to their county tax appeal board for a formal hearing, also within 30 days of the July 22 notice.

In Cascade County, they file their tax appeal notice with the county clerk and recorder’s office, at 121 4th St., office 1B-1.

Review and appeal options

Officials with the Montana Department of Revenue stress that homeowners confused or unhappy with the new property appraisals they received in early to mid-July have several options.

They can call or drop by the nearest Revenue Department office and have a staff member explain the process and answer questions. In Great Falls, they can call 454-7460, or visit the office, Suite 520 of the US Bank building, 300 Central Ave.

“Just call us or drop by one of our local offices,” Revenue Department spokeswoman Mary Ann Dunwell said. “It’s our job to answer property owner questions and settle your concerns. Our staff will walk you through how we got the appraisal information.”

Property owners also can ask the Revenue Department officials to conduct an informal review of their appraisal. To do so, they must file a Form AB-26 within 30 days of getting the appraisals. Most letters were dated July 22, even if they were sent early in the month. The forms are available in the local DOR offices or online at revenue.mt.gov/appeal-process.

Or homeowners can appeal to their county tax appeal board for a formal hearing, also within 30 days of the July 22 notice.

In Cascade County, they file their tax appeal notice with the county clerk and recorder’s office, at 121 4th St., office 1B-1.