What Is A Property Tax Consultant
Property tax consultants are similar to property tax attorneys except they have no special law degree, but do work to achieve results. You can use a property tax consultant to reduce or protect your taxes on a property. They can help you with filing the paperwork for an appeal, help you find all the necessary documentation and they will attend all the hearings with you. Most of the property tax consultant company’s have their own qualified appraisers. The consultants have valuable resources for obtaining needed information before entering any property tax hearing so you are prepared.
Property tax consultants have to be properly educated to work as a licensed tax consultant. To become licensed, a consultant needs to file an application with said state, understand and commit to the code of ethics, submit to a criminal background check and complete the required education that the board approves for all property tax consultants in every individual state. After all of these requirements are complete, you are then certified or denied a license to be a tax consultant. A lawyer however just has to apply for a tax consultant license since they have had the law school training.
To become a property tax consultant, you need to have a high school diploma and at least four hours of continuing education classes that pertain to the legal system. A company that has a senior tax consultant also must employ the applicant and you need to pay the registration fees. In some states, a licensed real estate broker can apply for and receive a property tax consultant license as well.
Should You Use A property Tax Attorney Or A Consultant
This is a question that is best answered by asking yourself, who will service you better. In most cases, both will be suited for the work. The attorney may cost more, but they both can do a superb job of helping you with any of your property tax issues. The consultant may be dedicated to your particular case, where an attorney may have many clients to work with at one time. The choice is really up to what you want and who will make you feel better about doing the work. Most consultants work with their own appraisers, which makes it easier to get the results you need faster than if an attorney, has to wait for a company to become available.
In either case, you can choose someone that is qualified to help you dispute your property tax bill or any other issues you may have with the bill. Keep in mind that if you use an attorney or a tax consultant, you will still have to pay them to represent and help you with the process whether you win your appeal or not. This is true in almost all cases, unless you find a company or attorney that guarantees results or you do not pay. This is however very rare for professionals that are established in the business and have a reputable business practice.