Carter Dougherty & McGuire

Carter Dougherty & McGuire has been serving San Jose property owners for over 30 years, specializing in property tax appeals and assessment challenges. Our experienced team combines legal expertise with deep knowledge of local real estate markets to deliver exceptional results for our clients. We've successfully appealed thousands of property assessments throughout Santa Clara County, securing millions in tax savings for homeowners and businesses. Our reputation for thorough preparation and effective advocacy has earned us recognition as one of the Bay Area's premier property tax law firms.

We offer comprehensive property tax services including assessment appeals, valuation disputes, exemption applications, and tax reduction strategies. Our residential services cover single-family homes, condominiums, and investment properties, while our commercial practice handles office buildings, retail centers, industrial facilities, and specialized properties. We also provide business personal property appeals for equipment and fixtures. Our team conducts detailed market analyses, prepares comprehensive appeal packages, and represents clients before assessment appeals boards throughout the county. We stay current with changing assessment methodologies and California property tax law to ensure maximum benefits for our clients. Additional services include penalty abatement requests, supplemental assessment challenges, and consulting on property acquisitions to minimize future tax exposure.

We begin with a comprehensive property evaluation to assess appeal potential and estimated savings. Once engaged, our team gathers extensive market data, property information, and supporting documentation to build a strong case. We file all necessary paperwork with the county and represent clients at hearings before the assessment appeals board. Our attorneys handle all negotiations with county assessors and appeals board members. Most cases are resolved within 8-12 months, with many settling through pre-hearing negotiations.

Our practice covers all of Santa Clara County, with particular concentration in San Jose, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale. We understand the unique characteristics of different municipalities and their varying assessment practices within the county.