Heard back a few days ago on one successful appeal in Howard County for an 80k reduction. (480->400)

Still waiting on an Anne Arundel appeal on a rental townhouse aiming for a 45k reduction. (290->245)

We bought in the fall at fair market value, in an arms-length transaction that was not a short sale or foreclosure. Our purchase price was just over $200K; the assessed value of the place was $400K.

We appealed. We sent our documentation including other nearby sales for the same price/sf as we paid. We didn't ask for a hearing since it seemed like they were either going to go with the purchase price as showing fair market value or not.

I'm delighted to report that they were entirely reasonable and dropped the assessed value by almost 200K to right around what we paid. It cuts our monthly property tax *dramatically*.

Here's to bureaucracies sometimes acting quite rationally and sensibly!

We appealed in Baltimore City for a $45k reduction and received a letter giving us a date and time to call in for our "hearing."

I called in and the lady who answered the phone says "What do you think your house is worth?"

I tell her what we paid (in September) and start explaining why that is fair market value, etc, etc. She just cut me off and said we'd hear back in 6-8 weeks. The whole process was utterly ridiculous. I'm hoping the appeal was successful and will try to protest if not.

It really makes me mad proberty taxes are just another way to drain you dry. Its your property and you are paying for it over and over again. This to me is very illegale. Wake up people . Why to let our so called law makers get away with this.

I had submitted a property tax appeal last year, after I received my appraisal. Unfortunately, I missed the cutoff date for last year, so it came effective this year. I actually missed the teleconference date. Result? A couple of weeks later before I sent in a request for a re-hearing I received a determination that they were reducing my value from $250+K to $170K, taking it back to about the value I purchased it for in 2004. Big savings and done really without me having to put up a fight (other than simply asking for the appeal). I think they recognize property values have taken a huge hit folks. Contrary to popular belief, they're not out to gouge you.

Pensions for the the city workers and politicians must be funded by the taxpayers. However taxpayers owe over 125 million dollars on pension benefits which the taxpayers must make up so paying your full tax assessment helps to allow our city retirees to retire with their pensions and health benefits.

Don't be Un -American, pay up so others can retire!