In Chapel Hill, it pays to challenge your tax bill

CHAPEL HILL -- Three out of five Orange County property owners who challenged their county tax assessments last year got them lowered, according to a report released today.

Last year’s revaluation raised property values across Orange County an average of 24 percent from the last revaluation four years earlier. The numbers led to protests and a group called Orange County Tax Revolt. Hundreds criticized tax values they said couldn’t be accurate in the worst economy since the Great Depression.

A total of 5,026 informal appeals and 1,656 formal appeals were filed, nearly one out of 10 taxable properties in the county. In typical revaluation years, closer to 2 percent of property owners appeal.

Of the 5,026 informal appeals decided by county staff, 3,073 property values were adjusted, almost all of them down, Roberson said.

Of the approximately 1,656 property values appealed to the Board of Equalization and Review, 992 property values were adjusted – again, almost all of them down.

Property owners can appeal further to the N.C. Property Tax Commission. There are 182 county properties under appeal to the commission, according to the county revaluation report.