Property Tax Lawyers in Whittier
In Whittier, 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 Whittier, 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.
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 Whittier, California
Whittier, 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.
To collect the property tax, the authorities of Whittier, California have to first determine the value of a specific piece of land.
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.
To this end, the Whittier, California appraiser will look at things like the state of the real estate market, the size of the land, the presence of additions to the land such as buildings, and the way in which the property is zoned.
How A Whittier, California Property Tax Attorney Can Help.
In Whittier, California, property taxes can become pretty confusing. 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 run into any issue with your Whittier, California property taxes, failing to handle it properly can result in anything from unnecessary inconvenience to considerable fines and tax penalties. However, with the help of a Whittier, California tax attorney, your chances of running into a property tax problem can be minimized.