My property taxes are outrageous!!! What to do?

You buy your very first Las Vegas home and notice that your property taxes are really high. What should you do? It's been an issue for many buyers.

The Assessor will be using all sales up to July 1 of the year before the tax year. For example, for the 2009/2010 year, the Assessor used sales up until July 2008. You can call County Treasurer's Office (702) 455-4323 to find out when the next re-assessment is going to take place and what the assessed value is going to be.

If, in your opinion, the taxable value of your property exceeds the value indicated in the real estate market, please call (702) 455-4997 or come in to the Assessor's Office and discuss your appraisal with an appraiser. The Assessor welcomes the opportunity to review any evidence you can provide that will show the valuation exceeds market value. If, after discussing the matter with the Assessor's staff, a difference of opinion still exists, you may appeal your assessment to the County Board of Equalization. You may obtain the appeal forms from the Assessor's Office during the month of December until the deadline for filing, which is January 15 unless it falls on a holiday or weekend, which then would make the deadline the next business day. Completed forms must be returned to the Assessor's Office by the appeal filing deadline date. Please call 702-455-3891 to have an appeal form mailed to you. The forms are relatively easy so you may represent yourself rather than incur legal expenses.

The Nevada Legislature provides for property tax exemptions to assist individuals meeting certain requirements. Some of these include veterans, disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and blind persons. Nevada also offers a Senior Citizen Tax Assistance/Rental Rebate program to persons 62 years of age or older.

You can read more at: http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/assessor/pages/valuenotice.aspx

Hope that helps!