How does a property tax assessment work?

In Maryland, a property tax assessment is a process used to determine a property’s taxable value. The property owner’s local government will use their annual assessment to calculate how much the property owner must pay in taxes. The first step is to measure the property’s total market value. This is done by using comparison sales of comparable properties in the area. The property’s assessment will then be calculated by taking the total market value and subtracting any deductions allowed by state law. Common deductions are for any improvements made to the property, such as a patio or pool. The local government will then send the property owner a notice of assessment, which is a document that shows the taxable value of the property. After the property owner receives the notice of assessment, they can either accept it or appeal it by filing a petition with the local board of assessment appeals. If the petition is accepted, the local government will adjust the assessment accordingly. Once the assessment is finalized, the local government will use the taxable value to determine how much the property owner will pay in property taxes. The taxes are usually paid annually in two installments. Property taxes are an important source of revenue for local governments. It is important for property owners to understand how a property tax assessment works in order to ensure that they are paying the right amount of taxes and that their property is correctly valued.

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