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With the Connecticut Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) appeal deadline fast approaching, less than 3 weeks remain (in most municipalities) to prepare and file your BAA appeal form.
Read and Understand your BAA Form
The best place to start is with a thorough review of your municipality’s BAA application. The BAA application will be available on your municipality’s website, in person at your local assessor’s office, or both, and it should include instructions on how to complete and file your application.
You must follow your municipality’s BAA application deadlines or you likely will lose your right to appeal your assessment before the BAA.
Analyze Your Property Record Card
Next, be sure to review your property record card and understand how your assessment was determined, including the date of the last revaluation, which forms the basis for your assessment. If there are any errors on the property record card (for instance, incorrect square footage or building features), be sure to describe those errors on your BAA application.
Your property record card may be available online through a revaluation service website (e.g., Vision) or through your local assessor’s website, or it may be available in person at your assessor’s office.
Gather Market Data
You should also research recent sales of similar properties to support an appeal for a lower assessment. Focus on sales as close to your revaluation date as possible; sales from well before the revaluation date or after the revaluation date may not be as persuasive.
Publicly available sources such as the municipal assessor’s online database, the municipality’s revaluation service website, and reputable listing sites may help you to identify comparables and compile market data.
Present Your Data
Don’t keep your data to yourself! Your BAA may require that you provide the data supporting your appeal with the BAA application. If you fail to provide evidence as required by your municipality, the BAA may prevent you from presenting it at your BAA hearing.
Be sure you understand your local rules on when and how to present your data and documentation and come prepared (with copies) to make your case at the BAA hearing.
Submitting the Form
Once you’re ready, it’s time to submit the BAA application. Make sure to file by the deadline and in the manner required by your local BAA, including providing any data that you wish the BAA to consider.
Do you still have questions about filing your BAA application? Pullman and Comley’s property tax attorneys have significant experience with BAA appeals. Contact Ryan Schaitkin or any one of Pullman & Comley’s Property Tax attorneys.
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About Our Property Tax and Valuation Law Blog
Alerts, commentary, and insights from the attorneys of Pullman & Comley’s Property Tax and Valuation practice with timely information for businesses, nonprofits and individuals in commercial property tax appeals and eminent domain matters.