Property Tax Appeal

If you feel you are being unfairly taxed, and you want a reduction in your property taxes, we can help.

We will evaluate your situation and if we determine that you are in fact being unfairly taxed we will prepare your case and then present it to the Tax Asessor and/or the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) and lobby on your behalf for a taxable valuation reduction. 

When dealing with the government nothing is easy and nothing should be taken for granted. In order to prepare a case that will win when presented to the Tax Asessor and/or the Value Adjustment Board you will most likely require professionals that know how to build a case, choose the best comparables, know the system and can win.

We are those professionals and we will work for you to lower your tax burden. Demand fair taxation from your government and let us help you receive it.

Tax Petition Form

The Value Adjustment Board

The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) serves as the decision-making authority when there is disagreement between the property owner and Property Appraiser concerning exemptions, valuations and classifications. Petition filing and scheduled quasi-judicial hearings are handled by the VAB to settle any disputes. Effective September 1, 2008, the VAB will consist of two County Commissioners, one School Board Member and two County citizen members, one who is appointed by the County Commission and must own homestead property within the county, and the other who is appointed by the School Board and must own a business occupying commercial space within the school district. Authority for the VAB is vested through Florida Statute Chapter 194.

VAB Petition Filing Requirements

All VAB petitions filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court appealing determinations of the Property Appraiser must have the petitioner’s original signature, must be notarized and accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. Copies or faxed petitions will NOT be accepted. The deadline for filing all petitions is September 12, 2008. Petitions not accompanied by the proper fee (see below) at the time of filing, shall be deemed invalid and shall be rejected (Florida Statutes Section 194.013(3)) and returned to the petitioner with appropriate filing instructions.

The return of a petition improperly filed shall not grant a waiver nor extend the filing deadline for the petition. Petitions filed after the deadline are considered “Late Files” and are forwarded to the Special Magistrate or VAB Attorney for review, but a hearing will not be scheduled. Petitions postmarked by the deadline dates, but received after those dates, are considered late. Petitions are not to be returned to the Property Appraiser's Office.

You are encouraged to contact the Property Appraiser’s Office to discuss your issue prior to filing a petition.

VAB Petition Filing Checklist

Obtain a petition form from the Property’s Appraiser’s office, from this website (below) or request one be mailed to you.
Complete all applicable sections of the petition. Make sure it is notarized if the form requires a notary.
Checks should be made payable to: Clerk of Circuit Court.
Your completed petition, depending on the type, must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m., on September 12, 2008, along with the applicable filing fee.
Mail to:
Clerk of the Circuit Court,
Board Records Dept.
1010 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205

FILING FEES – Pursuant to Florida Statute 194.013

Petitions shall be filed with the appropriate filing fee, as follows:

Single petition - $15.00 per parcel

Single petition for: 1) condominium association, cooperative association, or homeowners' association; and 2) more than one contiguous, undeveloped parcel – if the Property Appraiser determines such parcels are similar in nature (such determination must be in writing from the Property Appraiser) - $15.00, plus $5.00 per additional unit/parcel.

The Florida Department of Revenue has proposed draft Rules for Value Adjustment Boards. You may view the drafts of Rule 12D-9 and Rule 12D-10 at the Department of Revenue website.

Please contact us for more details.