How to present your findings to a group.

The appeal process begins when the assessment notices are sent out, and it is your responsibility to respond by deadline dates. Obtain a copy of the particular instructions for filing an appeal petition and copies of the filing forms from the County Board of Taxation or ask your tax assessor where you can obtain them.

Mortimer J. Adler was the most important intellectual counselor and guide to American culture since WWII according to some. Whether trying to sell a product, presenting a tax appeal or making a grand political speech, he recommended keeping three elements from “Aristotle’s Rhetoric: in mind.

Establish credibility with audience members, grab hold of their emotions and then present your facts and figures. Without the emotional grip, you won’t be able to keep your listeners’ attention, he said.

Your credibility: I live in the neighborhood __ number of year and have keenly watched, noted changes, compared our neighborhood with others and have a rational grasp of real differences in home values.

The emotional grip: Along the lines with, we are all in this together, we want to pay our fair share … Experts say to only lead with a story if it has a dramatic or compelling catch. Otherwise weave it in later.

      A few quips about taxes:

"Government expands to absorb revenue and then some." - Tom Wicker, journalist

"I am convinced that if most members of Congress did their own taxes, we would have had tax reform long ago." - Bill Archer, politician

"Common sense told us that when you but a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So we cut the people/s tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before." - Ronald Regan, U.S. president

The facts: Use good comparable's within the timeframe allowed for the year you are appealing. Make your arguments like a top-notch trial lawyer. Open with a one sentence theme concentrating on the central idea you want your audience to remember. Give supporting points to nail down your logic.

The appeal board members are the ones who decide the case on the county level, not the adversarial tax assessor or the town attorney. Never tell the board or the tax assessor that you are appealing your taxes - you are appealing your assessment. You are seeking equalization in assessment to similar properties such as yours.

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Best wishes to you and with your financial future.