Protesting 2022 Property Valuations

Protesting your property valuation could help lower your property taxes. Below are important dates and step-by-step instructions to help homeowners like you protest property valuations in 2022.

Preliminary Value Meetings: Step 1

Douglas County homeowners who disagree with their property’s valuation may file a Property Valuation Protest with the Douglas County Board of Equalization. To see what your home’s preliminary 2021 value is, visit dcassessor.org/valuation-lookup.

Preliminary value meetings are an opportunity for you to discuss the market value of your home and share important information that might impact the value of your property with an appraiser. (Learn more at dcassessor.org/preliminary-meetings)

To schedule a preliminary value meeting call 402-444-6743 BEFORE February 1, 2021.

Phone meetings will be held January 20 – March 1, 2021. During your meeting, an appraiser will review your documents, complete a full review of your property and provide you with additional information. Know that valuation adjustments will not be made during your meeting.

After February 1, the Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds office will no longer schedule appointments, however you are able to submit your documents for review by mail, email or in-person until March 1, 2021 (mailed information must be postmarked by March 1, 2021). See a list of supporting documents recommended for your review at dcassessor.org/preliminary-meetings.

Helpful Tips

• Find recent homes that have sold in your area to use as comparables. Note the condition and price paid for the house to evaluate if your property valuation is accurate.

• Don’t hesitate to take and submit photos of your home as a visual reference of its condition. Often photos can show the actual quality of a home much better than descriptions and records alone.

• Share details about your home that could help lower the valuation such as a bathroom not working, an unfinished basement, chipped paint, cracked concrete and even countertops that are formica/laminate and not granite. The Assessor’s office will take all of these things into consideration when determining your home’s value. Don’t forget, take lots of photos to share with the appraiser.

Your final value will be determined by June 1, 2021.

Formal Protest: Step 2

Property owners can continue to protest their property’s valuation after the final value is set if they believe it is still incorrect. You may use the information provided to you by the Assessor’s office for this protest.

Formal protests must be filed with the Douglas County Board of Equalization June 1 – 30, 2021. You may choose to have a meeting with a referee (an independent appraiser).

Valuations are finalized by the middle of August.

Questions?

Contact Angela Reza, Program Specialist, at areza@habitatomaha.org

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