FREQUENTLY ASKED
WHAT IS MY ASSESSMENT?
Rather than attempt to provide a written answer, we have created a more in depth video and page which will cover this - HERE.
WHY ARE MY NEIGHBOR'S TAXES LOWER?
There are a plethora of reasons which may cause your neighbor's real estate taxes to be less than yours. The main causes for this typically are differences between your house and theirs (basement finish...size...quality...) and also the types of deductions they may qualify for that you do not. Deductions are handled by the Auditor's office.
I DID NOTHING, YET MY VALUE RAISED. WHY?
Real estate value rise or fall regardless of whether a home or business owner does anything to their property. There are quite a lot of possible reasons why your assessment has changed. We created a handout for taxpayers which share all of the items which may have played a part in an assessment change (up or down) any given year. You can find that handout HERE.
To learn more about ratio studies specifically you can research HERE.
AREN'T PROPERTY VALUES CAPPED?
One of the most common misconceptions is that assessed values are capped under the tax caps taxpayers approved years back. Those caps have nothing to do with the assessing of a property, but the taxes of which can be applied. Your assessment can increase or decrease, it is only restrained by what market value supports (if appealed) and/or Indiana laws.
PEOPLE ARE ON MY PROPERTY, WAS IT YOU?
There are multiple times or issues which could prompt someone from our office to conduct a field visit. Employees of our office are easily identified by their ID badges they are required to have with them in the field and all of our vehicles have an Elkhart County Assessor decal on their door panels. Employees are instructed to attempt to make a point of contact, perhaps knocking on the door, before attempting to complete their task and leave.
IMPROVEMENTS...I DID NO IMPROVEMENTS??
In the assessing world the term improvements merely means most structures which were added at one time to the vacant real estate. Houses, variety of outbuildings, porches and pools are all examples of such items. The term does not mean you've done anything to enhance your property.
WHAT IS A PROPERTY RECORD CARD?
A property record card (PRC) is a detailed document illustrating what measurable items the assessor shows for a parcel specific property. Understanding this document may assist a taxpayer in understanding their assessment and save them a trip or phone call into their assessing office. Click HERE to learn more about property record cards and view a sample PRC or even request a copy of one.
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO CHANGE MY ASSESSMENT OR TAXES?
We are constructing a page which will walk people through all the ways they may or may not be able to change the assessments type or treatment of their parcel(s). This page will also list possible deductions or exemptions.
You can call and/or visit us to discuss; you do not have to wait for this page to be completed. (once completed you will see a link here)