There is a legal presumption the 2022 assessment is correct. The taxpayer must produce proof indicating the taxpayer’s property is not assessed at its fair market value or not assessed equitably in relation to similar surrounding properties to merit any change in the assessment. Any appraisal submitted for consideration must indicate a market value for the time period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 and be complete. No consideration will be given to submissions that do not contain all pages including addendums.
The Board of Equalization may:
• affirm the assessment or increase or decrease the assessment to equalize the assessment with other similar properties;
• summon any person to provide information regarding the property and request answers under oath; and
• enter and inspect any property subject to equalization.
The Board of Equalization cannot:
• void a general reassessment;
• order a new reassessment;
• make blanket increases or decreases in assessments;
• make assessment changes that are either retroactive for past years or prospective for future years; or
• decrease an assessment to alleviate financial hardships.
Assessments based on factual errors regarding the physical characteristics of the property can be adjusted by the Commissioner of the Revenue upon verification of the errors. Such corrections are independent of the Board of Equalization process.
Public notice of the meetings of the Board of Equalization will be published in The Free Lance-Star and posted at the Courthouse and Stafford County’s public libraries.
A completed appeal application is required for each parcel to be discussed. The application is available on the Commissioner’s website, in the Commission’s office, and will be mailed upon request.
An appeal to the Board may be made in person or in writing during the Board’s designated timeframe. If an appeal is being made on behalf of the property owner, written authorization must be provided. The Board’s mailing address is P. O. Box 98, Stafford, VA 22555-0098. A fax can be sent to (540) 658-4120. The phone number for information is (540) 658-4132 option 2.
You have the right under $ 58.1-3331, Section E. to review and obtain copies of all the assessment records pertaining to the assessing officer’s determination of fair market value of such real property and to request that the Assessor make a physical examination of the subject property. These records are available at the Commissioner of Revenue’s office, located at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford County, Virginia, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To schedule a physical examination with the Assessor please call Bart Stevenson at 540-658-4132 option 2 or cstevenson@staffordcountyva.gov, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.