Real estate properties in the U.S. are taxed by the federal and state governments. Taxes on these properties are a major source of revenue for local governments. Property tax rates, in the form of percentage, are usually decided by city councils, school boards, town boards, village boards and county legislatures and are collected each year by municipalities such as cities, counties and districts. Every year normally during September or October, the board conducts budget hearings to find out how much funds they will need for their operations the following year. The tax rate is then determined by dividing the board’s total taxes by the total assessed value of the jurisdiction.
Property taxes have a special purpose. The funds collected from taxpayers
are used by municipalities to improve vital public facilities and infrastructure such as schools, sewers, libraries, fire stations, hospitals, parks, roads and bridges.
Laws on the various aspects of real estate properties as well as forms of property tax vary from state to state. However, there’s a standard formula in calculating property taxes on a home. The normal process involves multiplying the assessed value of a certain property by the prevailing tax rate. Exemptions, if any, are then deducted from the resulting figure. Currently, some 40 states give property tax credits or homestead exemptions that allow a property to have a lower taxable assessed value.
In some states, the property tax rate is known as a millage tax, millage rate or mill levy with one mill equivalent to 1/1,000 of a dollar. Simply put, an owner of a property will have to pay one dollar for every $1,000 in taxable value.
The assessed value of a property is vital in determining the property tax. It is here where the assessor comes in and not in calculating the property tax as some other people might believe. To get the assessed value, the assessor estimates the market value of a property or the price it would likely sell for in the real estate market. This is done by conducting studies and analysis of the local real estate market and taking into consideration new construction, improvements done to the property and demolition of structures.
On your own as a homeowner, you should get an idea of your home’s market value based on the sale prices of comparable properties in your neighborhood. If in the event you find that your assessment is a bit high, there is still a chance to have the value reduced through administrative and judicial proceedings or by consultation with your local assessor.
In coming up with the assessed value for residential properties, the actual value is multiplied by the residential assessment rate. The residential assessment rate is usually set by the state thus, it differs in every state.
So for example, the actual value of a home is $120,000 and the assessment rate is 7 percent, the assessed value would be $8,400.
Meanwhile, in getting the property tax for the same home valued at $120,000 with a tax rate of say, 25 percent, multiply the assessed value with the tax rate ($8,400 x .025) and you’ll have a property tax bill of $2,100.
Keep in mind that property taxes have to paid each year and failure to do so would mean penalties. If possible, learn more about this important tax and other related programs such as tax breaks and tax reliefs that could provide you and your family reduced taxes.
By: Gloria Smith
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