Did you see a substantial increase in your property’s assessed value resulting in much higher taxes this last year? If so, now may be the time to challenge that assessment.

Applications for appeal of property taxes in Rhode Island are due to the local tax assessor within 90 days from the date that the first tax payment is due. Depending on what city or town your property is located in, this deadline could be in October or November. The application requires information about the taxpayer and the property, as well as the reason the reduction is sought and an opinion of the value of the property.

The appeal process could continue with an appeal to the tax board of review and the Superior Court, but taking the first step of appealing to the local tax assessor preserves your right to work towards reducing your real estate taxes.

Even if you failed to file a Notice of Intention to File an Account and an Account this year—which normally serves as a precondition to filing a judicial appeal with respect to taxes—you may benefit from one of the exceptions to the filing requirement. These exceptions are (1) that your real estate has been assessed at a value in excess of the value at which it was assessed on the last assessment date and has been assessed in the current year at a value in excess of its full and fair cash value; or (2) the tax assessed is illegal in whole or in part, and the taxpayer’s remedy is limited to a review of the assessment on the real estate. See the full statute.

Our experienced team works with clients to identify which assessments are worth challenging by considering various factors, including the percentage increase in assessed value, the sale price of comparable properties, and any improvement costs put towards the property. Once an application is filed, we continue to assist our clients in all steps of the appeal process.