Fairfax Dept of Tax Administration left door tag (Reston: real estate, assessor)

[jlpicardq]

Hello, everyone,

I just bought a house in January (in Reston) and we found a door tag/hanger from Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration looking to collect information about our house. It's from someone named Samuel A. Elling, his title being "Real Estate Data Collector".

It is asking how many bedrooms/bathrooms we have? Have we updated our kitchen or windows in the last 7 years? Have we had any additions, etc. etc... they're even asking whether or not we have a finished basement.

My question is:

1) Do I HAVE TO answer these questions or are they voluntary?
2) Is this for the purpose of reassessing (and possibly increasing taxes) the value of my house?

I don't understand what prompted this? Is this happening across the county or is it because it's a new house purchase?

Thanks

[JfromReston]

This happens across the county on a regular basis according to the person from the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration who visited my house a few months ago (I purchased in 2002). I don't know if answering the questions is voluntary or not, but I did answer his simple questions. Basically, I verified all the information in the county's system on my house.

[oneasterisk]

I bought a house in PWC a few months ago and got a similar notice in the mail. So maybe it's triggered with a transfer of ownership. I haven't answered the questionaire for your #2 reason I don't know if they will change the assessment, but I'd rather them not.

[jlpicardq]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

... I don't know if they will change the assessment, but I'd rather them not.

EXACTLY!!! I already pay almost $6000 a year! My house dropped $56,000 in value from the 2008 assessment, though I haven't heard of that drop reflecting in a tax decrease. <grumble, grumble>

I understand the need for taxes, and all, but I'm also a little warey of "big brother" trying to "stick it to the little guy!"

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by jlpicardq

EXACTLY!!! I already pay almost $6000 a year! My house dropped $56,000 in value from the 2008 assessment, though I haven't heard of that drop reflecting in a tax decrease. <grumble, grumble>

I understand the need for taxes, and all, but I'm also a little warey of "big brother" trying to "stick it to the little guy!"

if you've been reading the news for the past year, you will know why you're not getting a tax break.

[Yankeesfan]

It's standard, they rotate around the county. Just be honest and answer the questions.

[Beach-rat]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

It's standard, they rotate around the county. Just be honest and answer the questions.

What #$*!fan said.. you really don't want to pick a fight with the tax assessor.. you will not win..

[jlpicardq]

Originally Posted by Beach-rat

What #$*!fan said.. you really don't want to pick a fight with the tax assessor.. you will not win..

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I have nothing to hide. I'm just trying to understand what prompted this and what are my rights.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by jlpicardq

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I have nothing to hide. I'm just trying to understand what prompted this and what are my rights.

I can't answer the questionaire that got lost by accident

[Beach-rat]

Originally Posted by jlpicardq

I'm not trying to pick a fight. I have nothing to hide. I'm just trying to understand what prompted this and what are my rights.

In Virginia properties are taxed at 100% of fair market value and assessed every year, did your house sell for more or less than the assesed value? Maybe the assessor just wants to make sure that your house assessment is in line with it's value. Check here for your rights.

Department of Tax Administration*- Fairfax County, Virginia