Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's property tax division combines decades of legal expertise with deep knowledge of Washington D.C.'s complex assessment system. Our team understands that property taxes often represent your largest annual expense, and we're committed to ensuring you don't pay more than legally required. We handle both residential and commercial property tax appeals with a data-driven approach that's proven effective in D.C.'s competitive market. Our attorneys work closely with certified appraisers and tax analysts to build compelling cases that stand up to scrutiny from city assessors and appeal boards.

Our comprehensive property tax services start with thorough assessment reviews that examine your property's current valuation against comparable sales and market conditions. We specialize in commercial property tax appeals for office buildings, retail spaces, and investment properties where stakes are typically higher and procedures more complex. For residential clients, we handle tax protests and appeals through D.C.'s Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals. Our team prepares detailed valuation analyses using recent comparable sales, property condition reports, and market trend data. We also provide ongoing tax reduction consulting to help property owners understand assessment cycles and identify opportunities for future savings. Additionally, we offer pre-appeal consultations to evaluate the strength of potential cases before filing, saving clients time and money on cases unlikely to succeed.

Your engagement begins with a comprehensive case evaluation where we review your property records, recent assessment notices, and comparable property data. We'll provide an honest assessment of your appeal prospects and potential savings within the first consultation. If we proceed, our team gathers supporting documentation including property inspections, market analyses, and expert appraisals as needed. We prepare and file all necessary paperwork with the appropriate D.C. agencies, manage deadlines, and represent you at hearings. Throughout the process, you'll receive regular updates and clear explanations of each step.

We serve all Washington D.C. neighborhoods and have particular expertise with properties in rapidly developing areas like Navy Yard, Capitol Hill, and downtown corridors where assessment accuracy is often challenged. Our team also handles cases in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia for clients with multi-jurisdiction portfolios.