Property Tax Lawyers in Takoma Park

The government of Takoma Park, Maryland requires most people who own real property to pay taxes on its value. "Real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything else which is permanently attached to a piece of land, including trees, oil, groundwater, minerals, and the like.

Takoma Park, Maryland measures property taxes simply by taking a percentage of the property's value. Normally, they are paid on a yearly or monthly basis.

Normally, the federal government does not collect property taxes anywhere in the U.S. Property taxes are collected almost exclusively by state and local authorities.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Takoma Park, Maryland

Takoma Park, Maryland property taxes are normally calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates vary widely across the country, normally 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, Takoma Park, Maryland tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.

In many ways, the value of a piece of land is relative. After all, many people ascribe sentimental value to their homes, which goes well beyond its market value. To ensure that the system is fair, the government uses only objective standards to determine value.

To that end, the Takoma Park, Maryland employees in charge of appraising land look at objective facts to determine value, like the size of the land and any buildings on it, the way in which the land may legally be used (zoning), and the health of the local real estate market.

How A Takoma Park, Maryland Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Takoma Park, Maryland's property tax system is somewhat convoluted. Legal disputes arising from property taxes can arise in a number of ways. For instance, the state might accuse a homeowner of failing to pay their property taxes, when they really have. Conversely, a homeowner might believe that the value of their property was appraised inaccurately, resulting in a higher tax bill.

If you run into any issue with your Takoma Park, Maryland property taxes, failing to handle it properly can result in anything from unnecessary inconvenience to massive fines and tax penalties. However, with the help of a Takoma Park, Maryland tax attorney, your chances of running into a property tax problem can be minimized.