| Petition Filing Instructions |
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What steps can I take if I do not agree with the appraisal of my property?
Typically, property owners who follow this process are satisfied with the end result because they are exposed to sales activity and current costs in their area that must be considered in the appraisal process. After talking with us and if you still find a significant difference between our appraisal and what you believe your property's market value is, you may file a petition to be heard before a Special Master, who is an independent appraiser working for the Value Adjustment Board. When you receive your assessment notice in mid-August, read it for instructions about deadlines and filing procedures. If you need clarification, please call the Property Appraiser's office. Be sure you understand and follow instructions. A missed deadline or incorrect filing can cause an appeal to be dismissed. An assessment appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. It is an attempt to prove that your property's estimated market value is either inaccurate or unfair. You are required to present evidence supporting your estimate of market value to the Special Master. The Special Master has no jurisdiction or control over taxes or tax rates. Their one and only function is to hear evidence as to whether or not properties called to their attention are appraised at more or less than their market value. If such is the case, the Special Master has the authority to change the appraised value. They cannot change your appraised value for any other reason. The Special Master may also hear appeals on denial of exemptions. Petitions to the Value Adjustment Board for changes to your property valuation, exemption or agricultural classification must be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Multiple parcels with vacant land with similar characteristics, under the same ownership, may be included on one petition after receiving written authorization from the Property Appraiser’s office. Mail or file your notarized (if applicable) petition to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The nonrefundable filing fee is $15.00. If delivered in person, the Clerk can notarize the petition for an additional $3.50. Please make check payable to “Clerk of the Circuit Court”. You may contact the Clerk’s Recording Dept. at (772) 288-5555. The clerk will accept a petition faxed to them by 5:00p.m. only on the date specified your Notice of Proposed Property Taxes. The Clerk must receive the original petition along with the filing fee within 5 days of the date you faxed your petition. The Clerk of Circuit Court Fax # (772) 223-7920 or (772) 221-2340.
Petitions must be received by the filing date specified on your Notice of Proposed Property Taxes. Any petitions received after this date, will not be heard by the Value Adjustment Board. Petitions are available at any of the following Martin County Property Appraiser offices:
As part of the Martin County Property Appraiser’s office “Open Door Policy,” any questions or concerns about your property’s value can be addressed anytime throughout the year. |