Property Tax Lawyers in Los Altos Hills

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

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

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

How Property Tax is Calculated in Los Altos Hills, California

Los Altos Hills, California calculates its property taxes by requiring property owners to pay a set percentage of the appraised value. While the property tax rate varies considerably across different parts of the country, they fall into the 1-5% range.

In order to levy this tax, the tax authorities in Los Altos Hills, California must have an uniform formula for figuring out the value of a particular piece of property.

Value is subjective in many respects. The home that you grew up in is likely worth more to you than its going market rate. Thus, to ensure that property taxes are fair and uniform, tax collectors have to use purely objective factors when appraising property.

With that in mind, the land appraisers in Los Altos Hills, California look at numerous 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 Los Altos Hills, California Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Property tax law in Los Altos Hills, California is not always simple. Legal disagreements about property taxes can arise from almost any case. For example, you might have reason to suspect that the taxable value of your home was overestimated, creating a bigger property tax bill. And, the government might claim that you have underpaid your property taxes, while you think that you have paid the relevant amount.

If you are engaged in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Los Altos Hills, California, you should seek the assistance of a Los Altos Hills, California 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.