Best Time of Year to Prepare Your Property Tax Appeal
TL;DR
Start gathering evidence 2-3 months before your assessment notice arrives. Pull comparable sales in January-February for spring assessment notices, or June-July for fall notices. Monitor local sales year-round. File your appeal as soon as possible after receiving the notice, not the day before the deadline. Early filers get more attention and have more time for informal negotiation.
The Appeal Timeline
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 2-3 months before notice | Start pulling comparable sales data. Monitor local market trends. |
| Assessment notice arrives | Review immediately. Compare to your pre-gathered data. Mark the deadline. |
| Week 1 after notice | Check property record card for errors. Finalize your comparable sales. |
| Week 2-3 after notice | Prepare evidence packet. Write appeal letter if needed. |
| Week 3-4 after notice | File your appeal. Do not wait until the last week. |
| After filing | Prepare for informal meeting or formal hearing. |
Why Early Filing Matters
- More time for informal settlement. Early filers have weeks or months to negotiate before the hearing.
- Better hearing scheduling. You may get an earlier, less crowded hearing slot.
- No deadline panic. Last-minute filings lead to rushed, incomplete evidence.
- Assessor attention. Staff are more responsive early in the season when they are not overwhelmed.
Year-Round Monitoring
The best appeal preparers track their local market year-round. Set up Zillow or Redfin alerts for sold properties in your area. When you see a sale below your assessed value, save it. By the time your notice arrives, you already have your evidence.
Get Your Evidence Packet
Our $79 Evidence Packet provides comparable sales analysis tailored to your property type. Start with our free quiz to see your savings potential.