How to Get Overpaid Taxes Back From a County Assessor
- 1). Log on to your county website. Many counties list people who are due tax refunds. Few county governments notifiy taxpayers who have overpaid, except in jursidictions that require a letter to be sent. You should check the county website to see whether your name is among those due a refund. If your county does not have a website listing overpayments, call the county assessor's office directly, and ask for a list of people who have overpaid taxes. If the office won't give you the list due to privacy issues, ask whether your name is on the list.
- 2). Apply for a refund. You must apply to get your money back. Each county has its own application-for-refund form. You must fill the form out completely, stating the amount of the refund you believe you are owed and listing your current mailing address. You usually have to identify the property in some way, such as with a lot number. Send the application to the county assessor's office by mail or submit it electronically on the county website.
- 3). Pay your current taxes. Many people who have a refund coming are surprised to learn they currently owe taxes. Most county assessor's offices do not do the work of matching up taxpayer refunds to taxpayer bills for taxes. Don't put yourself in the postition of being delinquent on your current taxes just because the county owes you money. Treat the two tax situations separately.
- 4). Check on time limits. Most counties have a time limit on how long after paying your taxes you can apply for a refund. The range typically is three to five years. If you don't apply in that time frame, the county keeps the money. Make a habit of checking the county webite periodically, so you don't let time expire on any refund due to you. In some cases, the county government will subtract the overpaid amount from your next tax bill, rather than send you a refund check.