Property Tax Lawyers in Covina

In Covina, California, the government imposes a tax (a legally-mandated payment made to the government) on real property. "Real property" is defined as any piece of land, or object permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).

In Covina, California, property taxes are measured as a percentage of the land's value. They are most commonly paid annually. But in any case, they are paid at some set interval.

Typically, property taxes are not levied by the federal government. This applies to everywhere in the U.S.. Normally, property taxes are imposed by state and local governments.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Covina, California

Property tax in Covina, California almost always takes the form of a tax levied on the appraised value of the property in question. Property tax rates in the U.S. range from 0.2% to around 5% of the property's value.

To collect the property tax in a fair and consistent manner, Covina, California tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.

Value, in some ways, is not an objective thing. For example, your childhood home is probably worth much more to you than its simple market value. However, the tax authorities use only objective factors in calculating a home's taxable value.

With that in mind, the land appraisers in Covina, California look at various factors, including the state of the local real estate market, the square footage of the house, and the permissible use (zoning) of the land.

How A Covina, California Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

In Covina, California, property taxes can become pretty difficult. Legal disputes can arise in the property tax context, even if there is no wrongdoing, and the dispute arises from an honest misunderstanding. You might have a good reason to suspect that a mistake was made when your property was appraised, resulting in a higher tax bill than you believe you legally owe, for example.

If you encounter a legal issue with your Covina, California property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the assistance of a qualified tax attorney in Covina, California, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.