Property Tax Lawyers in Georgetown

In Georgetown, Delaware, 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 adhered to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).

Georgetown, Delaware determines property taxes simply by taking a percentage of the property's value. Usually, they are paid on a yearly or monthly basis.

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

How Property Tax is Calculated in Georgetown, Delaware

Property tax in Georgetown, Delaware 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, Georgetown, Delaware 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.

There are many different ways to value property using objective factors. Generally, the appraiser in Georgetown, Delaware will consider the current state of the real estate market, the size of the property, any improvements (buildings, roads, etc.) that have been made on the property, and the manner in which the property may be legally used (zoning).

How A Georgetown, Delaware Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

The system of levying property taxes in Georgetown, Delaware can get fairly complex. Disputes about property taxes, between the taxpayer and the tax authorities, can come up in several different ways. A taxpayer may believe that an error was made in calculating their property's taxable value, resulting in bigger tax bill. Also, the state or city government might allege that you have failed to pay your property taxes, while you believe that you have.

If you are involved in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Georgetown, Delaware, you should seek the advice of a Georgetown, Delaware tax attorney. Your attorney can help you prevent a small tax problem from turning into something much bigger and more expensive than it needs to be.