Property Tax Lawyers in Westbrook

The government of Westbrook, Maine 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.

Westbrook, Maine measures property taxes simply by taking a percentage of the property's value. Typically, they are paid on a yearly or monthly basis.

Federal authorities do not collect a property tax. Only state and local governments collect property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook, Maine property taxes are typically calculated as a percentage of the value of the taxable property. Rates vary widely across the country, typically ranging from less than 1% at the low end, to about 5% at the high end.

In order to impose this tax, the government of Westbrook, Maine first has to determine the taxable value of a piece of property.

As you probably know, value is not always objective. For instance, the owners of family heirlooms typically place far more value on them than their objective monetary value. So tax officials have to be careful to only use objective criteria in valuing property for tax purposes.

To this end, the Westbrook, Maine 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 Westbrook, Maine Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

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

If one of these concerns affects you and your property in Westbrook, Maine, you should make every effort to properly handle it. This can prevent small issues from growing into large ones. The best way to do this is to seek the advice of a knowledgeable Westbrook, Maine tax attorney who specializes in property tax law.