Sancus Tax

Sancus Tax has been helping Los Angeles property owners challenge inflated assessments and reduce their annual tax burden. The firm takes a practical approach, combining in-depth market analysis with a solid understanding of California's Proposition 13 framework and the assessment appeal process at the Los Angeles County Assessor's office. Their team includes tax professionals with backgrounds in real estate valuation, tax law, and local government procedure. The firm works with a wide range of clients, from single-family homeowners who suspect their assessment crept too high after a sale, to commercial landlords managing portfolios across multiple parcels. Sancus Tax is upfront about what appeals are likely to succeed and what they aren't, which clients generally appreciate. They don't take on every case they're pitched, and that selectivity tends to produce better outcomes for the clients they do represent.

Sancus Tax offers a focused set of services built around property tax reduction and compliance in California. Their core offering is assessment appeal representation before the Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board. This includes a full review of the county assessor's valuation, comparable sales analysis, income and expense modeling for income-producing properties, and preparation of a formal appeal package. Beyond formal appeals, the firm provides supplemental and escape assessment reviews, which catch errors that arise when properties change hands or undergo improvements. They also handle Proposition 8 temporary reduction filings, which apply when market values drop below assessed values during real estate downturns. For business clients, Sancus Tax reviews personal property tax statements and can represent clients in audits triggered by the assessor's office. They offer payroll tax services as a complement to their broader tax practice, which is useful for small business owners who want consolidated tax support. Initial consultations typically involve a no-cost assessment review so clients have a realistic picture of potential savings before committing to representation.

The process starts with a free property review. Clients provide their most recent tax bill and any sale or appraisal documentation they have. Sancus Tax pulls comparable sales data and reviews the current assessed value against market evidence to determine whether an appeal has merit. If an appeal is warranted, they prepare and file the application with the county before the September 15 deadline or within 60 days of a supplemental assessment notice, whichever applies. They then build the formal evidence package, which typically includes a written appraisal or comparable sales analysis, income and expense data for commercial properties, and any supporting documentation. Most Los Angeles County hearings are conducted informally, and Sancus Tax represents clients at those hearings directly. If an appeal is denied or the reduction is insufficient, they advise clients on next steps, including whether a superior court filing makes sense. The whole process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year depending on the county's caseload.

Sancus Tax serves property owners throughout Los Angeles County, including the city of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach, and surrounding communities. They handle both residential and commercial properties across the county's diverse neighborhoods and submarkets. Out-of-area clients with Los Angeles County properties can work with the firm remotely, as most of the appeal process can be managed without in-person meetings.