Bremer County Assessor - Property Owner's Legal Responsibility

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Bremer County Assessor
415 East Bremer Avenue
Waverly, Iowa 50677
Voice (319) 352-0145
Fax (319) 352-0150

Important News!

February 13, 2006, 9:16 am

NEW HOMEOWNERS - Be sure to apply for Homestead and Military Tax Credits

February 10, 2006, 10:11 am

February 10, 2006

The Bremer County Assessor's office plans to mail the 2006 residential property assessment notices to property owners on or around February 22, 2006.

The notices are intended to inform the property owners of the estimated market value of their property. The values should not be confused with taxable value or the tax bill. As you might remember Bremer County was issued a 14% equalization order from the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance to raise residential valuations retroactive to the 1-1-2005 assessment year, so these valuations have not appeared on tax bills to date.

Vanguard Appraisals, Inc. of Cedar Rapids was awarded the contract to reappraise all residential property in the county. Company representatives have measured and attempted to inspect all property over the last two years. A sales analysis and a review of the information collected were conducted before the values were finalized.

Property owners will have an opportunity to meet with a representative of Vanguard Appraisals, Inc. beginning March 13. These meetings are an opportunity for the property owner to submit any information which may affect the estimate of market value of their property. Property owners who wish to meet with a representative of Vanguard must request an appointment prior to March 6 by calling the county assessor's office at 319-352-0145.

The last complete reappraisal of urban residential properties was January 1, 1991 and for rural residential properties was January 1, 1997. The current reappraisal was conducted to equalize assessed values since not all properties have decreased or increased at the same rate since the last reappraisals. Company representatives will not adjust the assessed values if the property owner objects to the new values based solely on the fact that there was an increase in assessed value. Property owners who disagree with the new values should be prepared to state their estimate of market value and present evidence to support that estimate.

Property owners will also have an opportunity to protest the new assessed values to the Board of Review. A written protest must be submitted between April 16 and May 5 for the Board of Review to consider any adjustment.

New notices will be mailed on or before April 15, if any changes in property valuation occur.

Visitors: 151501

Property Owner's Legal Responsibility

It is your legal responsibility to report to the Assessor changes or improvements to your real estate. 441.24 (1) Code of Iowa provides:

If a person refuses to furnish the verified statements required in connection with the assessment of property by the assessor, or to list the corporation's or person's property, the director of revenue and finance or assessor, as the case may be, shall proceed to list and assess the property according to the best information obtainable and shall add to the taxable valuation one hundred percent thereof, which valuation and penalty shall be separately shown, and shall constitute the assessment; and if the valuation of the property is changed by a board of review or on appeal from a board of review, a like penalty shall be added to the valuation thus fixed.

There are many things you should report to your local assessor like:

New buildings

Buildings removed, torn down or damaged by fire or flood

Remodeling (interior and exterior)

Additions to house or buildings

New furnace / central air

Mobile homes

Fireplaces

Basement or attic finish

Decks, patios, and garages

Please call your local assessor's office to report any changes to your property. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.