The Assessment Appeals Process

If you think your property has been overvalued, you have the right to appeal the assessment. A successful appeal can lower your property taxes.

The appeals process in Connecticut includes a few important steps:

• First, review your property card, which shows how the town valued your property during the base period.
• Next, gather evidence that shows your property may have been over-assessed. This could include information on recent sales of similar homes in your area.
• Then, file your appeal with the local Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The form to file this can be picked up at your town's Assessor's Office.
• Once you've filed, you will attend a hearing where you can explain why you believe the assessment is too high. You can bring documents, like sales data, to support your case.

• Double-check that all information on your property card is accurate, like the size of your home and number of rooms.
• Look for recent home sales in your neighborhood to show that your property might be overvalued.
• Present your evidence clearly at the hearing. The Board will consider your information to decide if the assessment should change.

After the hearing, the Board will send you a letter with their decision. If they agree that your property was over-assessed, your taxes will go down. If you're unhappy with their decision, you can take your case to the Connecticut Superior Court.

Understanding the appeals process can help make sure you're paying the right amount in property taxes. If you feel your assessment is too high, it's worth the effort to appeal.