Back
to Top
Why
do the previous owners' names appear on my tax
ticket even though my deed has been recorded?
The
Code of Virginia states that the Commissioner
of Revenue will determine the owner of record
as of January 1 of each taxable year.
If a deed is recorded after January 1,
the owner of record will not change until the
following tax year.
Back
to Top
Are
mobile homes considered real estate or personal
property?
Mobile
homes are determined to be real estate or personal
property on a case by case basis.
For more information, please call the
Commissioner of the Revenue's office.
Back
to Top
Do I have to pay taxes after I reach the
age of 65?
Currently,
Wise County has a tax relief program (See information on Real
Estate Tax Exemptions) that will deduct up to $200
from your real estate taxes if you are over
the age of 65 or totally and permanently disabled
and meet the income guidelines.
Currently, there is no tax relief program available for personal
property, except the TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED
VETERANS.
Back
to Top
Will
taxes that are exempted through the elderly/disabled
program have to be paid back?
No.
This is a tax relief program for elderly and disabled citizens.
Back
to Top
How often do we have to have a real estate reassessment?
Reassessments
are determined by the population of the locality. Generally, for Wise County, reassessments have been performed
every 6 years.
Back
to Top
Why
did the value of my real estate property increase
during the reassessment when there were no improvements
in the past 6 years?
Based
on sales studies, most real estate property
values increase with the 6 year period.
Back
to Top
How can a higher assessment be placed on
property that sold for less?
Assessments
are based upon a sales study conducted during
the most recent reassessment.
Even though the market may change, the
assessment remains the same until the next reassessment
if there are no changes in acreage, zoning or
new construction.
Back
to Top
Why
can't we use the appraisal of a private appraisal
company when requested by the taxpayer?
The
Attorney General's office opinioned that
values adopted by the Board of Assessors who
oversees the reassessment cannot be changed
until the next reassessment without changes
being made in the size of the property, new
construction, rezoning or demolition.
Back
to Top
How
are the assessments on each parcel determined?
The Wise County Assessment Team conducts a general reassessment of all properties in the county, in accordance with Section 58.1-3252 of the Code of Virginia. Currently, this assessment takes place every six years, and is based on the population of Wise County. The Assessment Office follows the principle of "ad-valorem taxation," which mandates that values reflect the fair market. The Assessment Office is able to determine this by conducting a sales study of all recent transactions in the market. Therefore, assessed values are established by what citizens of Wise County are currently paying for property on the open market, as analyzed by the sales study. The contributions of size, location, and condition of your property will all be considered before final values are determined.
Back
to Top
Why
do we have to have reassessments?
Reassessments
are conducted to equalize the values of real
estate property throughout the county.
Back
to Top
Can I get a copy of the assessed value of
my property?
Yes.
Real estate values are public record, and are available at our online assessment website – EagleWeb.
Back
to Top
What
if I don't agree with my assessment?
State Law mandates that the burden of proof rests with the taxpayer to prove that an assessment is in error. The Assessment team does not have the authority to adjust a value between reassessments unless one of the following conditions is true:
- An error was made in the previous assessment which, once found, is corrected.
- Boundary lines are adjusted by survey or division.
- Changes in zoning.
- Court orders.
- New construction: including additions, porches, garages, or any other feature that adds value.
- Improvements to the property, including renovation of a structure. If homes suffer from a condition that can be corrected, assessors will monitor the home periodically, and adjust the value if and when the condition is corrected.
- Demolition or significant damage to a property.
An appeal process has been established, where an Assesor will review all the features of your property to ensure they reflect that fair market at the time of the last Reassessment, and to ensure that none of the seven criteria above should influence the value. Please be aware that values can go up or down based on the result of the appeal, and in order to obtain more information, the Assessor may need to conduct an inspection of the interior of the dwelling or structures on a property.
If you feel the need to file an appeal with our office, please download the Assessment Appeal Application form and submit it to our office. An Assessor will contact you once the application has been received.
Back
to Top
How
can I get the tax map# and the tax ID # of my
real estate property?
This
information is available on our online assessment website at EagleWeb
or on the land books located in the Commissioner's
office as well as the
Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Back
to Top
How long do we have to appeal a tax assessment?
There
is a three year statute of limitations on making
a tax adjustment.
Back
to Top
