Annandale tax assessments up 3 percent

Real estate tax assessments for Annandale residents are up 3.07 percent from last year, the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration reported Feb. 22.

The mean assessed value for residential property in Annandale was $365,567 in 2011, compared to $359,674.

The overall equalization change for residential properties is up 2.34 percent. Nearly 64 percent of residential properties in Fairfax County experienced an assessment increase in 2011, and another 22 percent had no change, the county reports. You should get your real estate assessment notice in the mail within the next few days.

Zip code areas experiencing the highest increases in assessed value are Burke (up 4.30 percent), Herndon (4.20 percent), and Chantilly (4.08 percent). Only two areas saw a decline in assessments: Great Falls (down 3.92 percent) and Clifton (down 1.09 perccent).

Commercial properties show an overall equalization increase of 3.73 percent. That increase is primarily due to the increased value of multifamily apartments (up 14.54 percent) and hotels (up 11.35 percent). The percentage of the real estate assessment base attributable to commercial and industrial property in fiscal year 2012 is 19.64 percent.

According to the county, the assessed value of properties can change for a variety of reasons, such as equalization changes (appreciation or decline in value), structural changes (additions or remodeling), rezoning, and land divisions (growth). A combination of these factors can apply to the same property.

If you have a questions about your assessment, contact the Department of Tax Administation  (DTA), 703/222-8234. You can file an appeal if your believe your assessment is not equitable in comparison with similar properties or if you think your assessment exceeds fair market value. Appeals may be made in writing to the DTA’s Real Estate Division by April 8. Appeal applications can be downloaded by from DTA’s home page.

Real Estate appeals can also be filed with the Board of Equalization (BOE), which consists of nine taxpayers appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The BOE conducts formal hearings and takes sworn testimony. All appeals to the BOE must be filed and postmarked by June 1. BOE appeal forms are available on the BOE website or by calling 703/324-4891.