Jo Ann North

Property Assessor

I WANT TO ..

• Look at your file data on my property

• Estimate my property taxes

• Learn how the appraisal processes work

• Read about Business Personalty Assessment

• Find a parcel on Metro's online property maps

• Go to Metro Nashville Government's Home Page

How can I contest my assessment?

If you want your appraisal reviewed, the key to success is to present recent documentation supporting your case, such as:

þ   deed, appraisal or closing statement with different value;

þ engineering report of problems with land or structures;

þ invoice showing improvements cost less than valued; or,

þ sales report of comparable property in your neighborhood.

At lower right on your notice is an “AOP #” which you will need to file your request. This is to ensure your request comes from the property owner. It is best if you have your notice close art hand when you file.

The best method is by submitting a form on our website:

www.padctn.com

Or, call us to give a staff member the form information at:

(615) 862-6059

The review request telephone lines will operate from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If a personal meeting is needed, we will schedule an appointment for you. If you have documents to submit, we’ll tell you how to get them into the right hands.

If you have computer internet access, you can research appraisal information on our website and view your property records and those of others. You can search by Owner Last Name, Street or Parcel ID.

The information includes detailed property descriptions and other data used to appraise property. If you spot an error, let us know so we can correct it. You can do this online at the review form address shown above.

Informal reviews are conducted in the order received prior to May 15, 2005.  Telephone requests will be received through 4 p.m., Friday, May 13th.  Online requests may be entered until midnight, May 15th.

We will notify you in writing of the results. All assessment information must be complete before the statutory closure of the assessment rolls on May 20th.

If you disagree with our findings, you may appeal to the Metro Board of Equalization at anytime before June 17, 2005. Unless you appeal, the last written notice we provide you will become your final assessment.

Failure to file could result in your losing further appeal rights for the 2005 tax year. Appeal forms are available at our office.

Please note our office will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 30, 2005.

Can you lower my taxes?

If your complaint involves the amount of taxes you pay and not your appraisal, we can’t help you. The tax rate is not set until late June by the Metro Council, and we have no knowledge of or control over what it will be.

Our role is to appraise every property at 100% fair market value while others handle the revenue needs and taxes.

This is a reappraisal year for Davidson County – when the Property Assessor restores equity by updating the appraisals of all taxable real property to the current year’s market.

Here are ten important facts to consider:

1. Reappraisal is not optional; it is mandated by the State!
It restores equity to ensure all taxpayers are treated fairly

by updating all appraisals to current market value..

2. The State will reappraise Davidson County if we don’t.
We’d lose the benefit of our local experience and knowledge;

the State then would charge Metro for doing our job.

3. Appraisals must be set at 100% of fair market value!
State law requires all property appraised at full value

as of January 1, 2005.

4. “Fair market value" is a sales price you’d get on the open market.
(Assuming a sale between non-related, willing buyer and seller

which produces a valid market sale price.)

5. The open market determines values through sales prices.
We track 100,000-plus sales over the four-year cycle

and use the last two years to help calculate values.

6. Appraisals can’t be manipulated to reduce anyone’s taxes.
The State monitors reappraisals closely to ensure that they

meet all of the requirements of law.

7. You can request a review online through our website!
Just fill out the form on WWW.PADCTN.COM and submit;

It's the fastest method to get your review in our system.

8. We don’t set tax rates so we can’t adjust taxes.
The tax rate isn’t set until late June by Metro Council;

while we can adjust an appraisal if it’s not at market value,

we cannot adjust a tax bill.

9. A certified rate is required to adjust the existing tax rate.
A certified rate is set to prevent a reappraisal from

automatically increasing revenues.

10. The certified rate can be raised after a public hearing.
The final tax rate was raised each time after the reappraisals

were completed in 1993, 1997 and 2001.

This brochure explains why and how reappraisal is accomplished and how you can obtain an informal review or file a formal appeal of your assessment. It answers the most frequently asked questions about the reappraisal process.

We perform our work transparently and make the results easily accessible to the public so you can see it and judge it for yourself. You can review your appraisal records, and compare them with others, on our website:

 WWW.PADCTN.COM.

Our primary goal is to get the appraised values right to make the process fair to every property owner. We have no reason to make anyone’s appraisal higher or lower than fair market value, so we don’t mind explaining our work or correcting any errors in the information we have collected.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you!