Property Tax Lawyers in San Francisco
In San Francisco, 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 adhered to the land (such as buildings, trees, minerals, etc.).
In San Francisco, California, property taxes are measured as a percentage of the land's value. They are most often paid annually. But in any case, they are paid at some set interval.
The federal government almost never imposes property taxes directly. Property taxes are collected nearly exclusively by state, county, and local governments.
How Property Tax is Calculated in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California property taxes are usually calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates vary widely across the country, usually ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.
To collect the property tax in a fair and consistent manner, San Francisco, California tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.
In some ways, value is a subjective thing. For example, the home in which you grew up is probably worth far more to you than its market value. To get around this, the government uses nothing but objective factors in determining how much a piece of real property is worth.
With that in mind, the land appraisers in San Francisco, California look at several 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 San Francisco, California Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
In San Francisco, California, property taxes can become pretty complex. 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 San Francisco, California property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the help of a competent tax attorney in San Francisco, California, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.