Property Tax Question: Decline in Value approved -- now what? (August: 2013, assessor)

[powermargin]

So last year I submitted an application to the County of LA for a "Decline In Value" for my property. The valuation date was January 2011.

In August 2012, I had a hearing with the appeals board. They reduced the value of my property somewhat, not as much as I had estimated, but by more than the assessor had given (the assessor was not happy).

In October 2012, I received a letter informing me that my decline in value was officially approved.

So my question is: now what? I received my 2012-2013 tax bill, and it still has the old (higher) property value. Do I automatically receive a refund for taxes that I paid last year? Or do I have to file something else to get that refund?

And I understand that decline-in-values are good only for that one year. How do I make this permanent?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by powermargin

So last year I submitted an application to the County of LA for a "Decline In Value" for my property. The valuation date was January 2011.

In August 2012, I had a hearing with the appeals board. They reduced the value of my property somewhat, not as much as I had estimated, but by more than the assessor had given (the assessor was not happy).

In October 2012, I received a letter informing me that my decline in value was officially approved.

So my question is: now what? I received my 2012-2013 tax bill, and it still has the old (higher) property value. Do I automatically receive a refund for taxes that I paid last year? Or do I have to file something else to get that refund?

And I understand that decline-in-values are good only for that one year. How do I make this permanent?

Why don't you simply call the tax assessor?

[powermargin]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why don't you simply call the tax assessor?

Did that a few weeks ago, was on hold FOREVER and gave up.

Sent them an email, they responded a week later, but the response wasn't that helpful.

Hoping someone else here has done this and can let me know how to get a refund.

[Charles]

I went through this in Ventura County in the early 1990s??? I sort of forgot but I don't recall it being much of a hassle nor do I remember much about the tax bill issue you mentioned. I didn't have an impound account either.....Do you have one? Maybe your mortgage lender will work it for you????

[powermargin]

Update: Tried two other email requests in addition to the original one (assessor.lacounty.gov, auditor.lacounty.gov, bos.lacounty.gov)

Finally got a response from the assessor stating that the refund process is automatic and I should receive it within 3 months. Though that was a good idea to check with my mortgage lender to see if they refunded it to them (since I have an escrow account)