Forbes Tax Advocates
What we do for you
At Forbes Tax Advocates we understand the law and the Tax Appeal Process; in Michigan this is both difficult and cumbersome. After using our "Free Calculator" we can determine if you may realize a savings by using our service. If you desire to reduce your Property taxes hiring Forbes is a great choice. Even if our calculator shows we may not be able to save you money you may purchase a market value appraisal through us at a discounted rate, with this you will know what your home and property is really worth.
We first have you fill out an Agent Authorization form allowing us to act on your behalf with the municipalities concerning your property tax appeal. We will then schedule a state certified, or state licensed appraiser to visit your home. He will measure and count the rooms, gather basic information about types of utilities, garage size and any other factors allowing him to find comparable homes that sold in your area. Along with this information we also factor the number of foreclosures for sale in your area and the foreclosure sale prices. With this information we can assemble the appraisal with "comparables" showing the true market value of your home.
Meeting the Assessor
We then make an appointment with the local assessor and review our findings of the "true market value" of your home. Generally we give the Assessor 2 weeks to research our findings, and meet again with them. The information supplied to the assessor is current to date, this greatly improves our ability to negotiate with them as the data the assessor uses is at a minimum 7 months old (usually 12 months) to 24 months. And their data doesn't represent the current market value and this is where we find the savings.
Meeting with the assessor is a key part to lowering the taxable value of your home, contrary to belief; the Assessor can lower the value at any time during the year. However, if we cannot reach an agreement with the Local Assessor at this time we will file a letter appeal with the local tax board prior to the march hearing (usually 2nd week of). Prior to the local tax board of review we will email you an electronic fillable .pdf Notice of Assessment to you to fill out. When you receive your Notice of Assessment in the mail (usually mid to end of February) you will input the values given on the mailed copy and email back to us. We will then file an appeal for you with the local board of review. The local tax board must determine and mail the results of the appeal by the end of May. If the local tax board denies the appeal at this time we will offer the homeowner the opportunity to file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal, with this we will not only asking for the current year but also any previous years where the taxable value was incorrect. If the previously years are granted you will receive the difference of taxes owed for these years plus interest of 12% per year.
After receiving the formal appeal the Michigan Tax Tribunal forwards a copy of this petition to the "county assessor" in hopes of making a deal with the agent or homeowner. And by asking for adjustments of previous years this puts a lot of pressure on the county. As they have already spent this money. Its one thing to ask for a correction for the upcoming year, as that allows them to adjust their budget, but by proving the homeowner is due previous years and allowed interest, the county is usually willing to negotiate. If we cannot reach an agreement with the county assessor at this time we can represent you in front of the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Our experience with determining the true market values and helps us with the Appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
You will be notified by email of the status of you case at each step in the process and may check the current status on our secure website.
