Frequently Asked Questions
What is Protax LLC?
Protax LLC specializes in appealing residential and commercial property tax assessments. We have been in business since 1990 and utilize real estate analysts. Property tax savings are generated for our clients in the form of a refund, or reduced tax bill/liability.
What to expect from Protax LLC Services
Protax LLC will handle all aspects associated with your appeal including:
1) Corresponding with the county Assessor.
2) Appearing before the assessment appeals board on your behalf.
3) Pursuing any tax savings realized in the form of a reduced tax bill or refund.
Fee Percentage Compared to Competitors
Protax LLC will handle all aspects associated with your appeal including:
Our fee is 35% of the total tax savings. We believe in value and refuse to offer inferior services or cut rate services to our clients. Every year we receive numerous calls from property owners who have chosen alternative low rate providers only to find out that they are nowhere to be found when the time comes for them to be represented at a formal appeal hearing before the assessment appeals board. We receive numerous calls each and every year from distressed individuals who are seeking assistance (at the last minute) because their agent failed to attend their hearing or they are unable to locate their agent for an upcoming hearing date. PROTAX LLC has been in business since 1990. We represent thousands of property owners each and every year before nearly every county assessment appeals board throughout the State of California.
Timeline
Once a formal appeal is filed, the county has a 2-year statute of limitations to schedule a hearing. Please feel free to call or email us as at any time with questions as we are happy to provide you with updated information about our progress on your property. 858-679-7221 / customerservice@protaxllc.com
Success Rate
Our actual success rate is directly proportional to the market potential on any given property. When the reduction potential for a particular property exists due to market conditions or specific issues associated with your specific property, our success rate has been historically high. However, every property is unique due to different circumstances and we are unable to guarantee the decisions or outcomes which are in the control of the Assessor and/or The Assessment Appeals Board. We believe our success rate is among the highest within our industry.
Why does Protax LLC put the lower range of value on the appeal applications?
As an advocate it is our duty to seek the lowest possible tax liability possible for our clients. In the event the county fails to schedule a timely hearing in accordance with the 2-year statute of limitations, the assessment appeals board may be compelled by the Revenue & Taxation Code to enroll the “opinion of value” placed on the appeal application. It is a simple matter to amend the application to request a higher assessed value, however many county appeals boards are reluctant to grant relief greater than what was originally requested on the appeal application.
I received a Hearing Notice. Do I (a client of Protax LLC) need to attend the hearing?
No. Protax LLC will handle all aspects associated with the appeal. There is no need for you to attend the formal appeal hearing as we will prepare and present the best information available to secure a tax savings on your behalf; however we welcome any assistance you might wish to provide including your appearance at the actual hearing. Protax LLC receives the Hearing notice(s) as the county sends hearing notices to both the Owner and authorized property tax agent.
When or why would my formal appeal application be withdrawn?
If our real estate analysts conclude that no evidence supports a reduction to the current assessed value, Protax LLC will withdraw the formal appeal application. If you have any questions regarding the reasoning behind our decision, we will have the appraiser assigned to your case contact you to discuss the details regarding our decision. We strongly urge our clients to share any information regarding the property that will allow us to make the most compelling argument possible that supports a fair and equitable value for our clients.
Prop 13 Trended Base Year Value / What is the Inflation Factor?
A new assessed value is established after a property has been purchased or recently constructed. This new assessment is known as its “Base Year Value” and is established in accordance with Proposition 13 of the Revenue and Taxation Codes of the State of California. The Code also calls for an annual inflation factor to be applied automatically to the base year value every year by the Assessor when preparing the assessment roll. The CPI is established by the California Department of Industrial Relations which the State Board of Equalization references to establish the annual inflation factor to be applied by the Assessor when preparing the assessments to be place on the current tax roll. This inflation factor is limited by statute to a maximum of 2%. This indexed assessed value for each tax year is known at the Trended Base Year Value.
Can the County raise my taxes? If so, when?
A new assessed value is established after a property has been purchased or recently constructed. This new assessment is known as its “Base Year Value” and is established in accordance with Proposition 13 of the Revenue and Taxation Codes of the State of California. The Code also calls for an annual inflation factor to be applied automatically to the base year value every year by the Assessor when preparing the assessment roll. The Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California allows all property owners to seek an annual reduction in their assessed value whenever the “fair market value” falls below the indexed base year value. The County is limited to enrolling the lower of the “Trended Base Year Value” or the current Fair Market Value. The County is prohibited from enrolling a value higher than the “Trended Base Year” value. The county may increase the Base Year Value in instances where an applicant is appealing the initial base year value originally determined by the assessor. This is commonly referred to as a Proposition 13 base year value appeal.