News Release for Immediate Release March 21, 2003 Property Owners Must File Assessment Appeals By April 1 (Washington, DC) The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) is reminding property owners who believe that their recent assessments do not reflect the market values in their neighborhoods to file an appeal before the April 1, 2003 deadline. "Any property owner who wishes to file an assessment appeal needs only to notify OTR of their desire to do so by submitting an appeal application or letter before the deadline," said Deputy Chief Financial Officer Phil Brand. "Though the appeal application suggests types of documentation useful for an appeal, it is not necessary to submit documentation at the time the application is filed." The appeal process allows property owners to dispute the real property assessment determined by OTR's Real Property Assessment Administration. Each property owner must start at the first level of appeal before going to the next level. The Appeal Process 1st Level - Administrative Appeal This is an informal process in which hearings may be conducted and relevant information is presented pertaining to the affected property. Upon receipt of your appeal, you will receive a letter of confirmation. 2nd Level - Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals (BRPAA) If you are not satisfied with the decision from the first level of appeal, you may then file an appeal to the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals (BRPAA), within thirty (30) days of the date of the Notice of Final Determination of Assessment from the Real Property Assessment Administration. 3rd Level - DC Superior Court If you are dissatisfied with the BRPAA decision, you may proceed to the third level of appeal, which is to file an appeal with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Address for Appeal Applications Appeal applications or appeal letters should be sent to the Government of the District of Columbia, Real Property Assessment Administration, Attention: Appeals Section, PO Box 176, Washington, DC 20044. Where to Obtain Appeal Applications Assessment information and appeal applications are available in the Real Property Service Center. A hard copy of the application is available at the DC Public Library's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Taxpayers may also request to have a copy of the application faxed by calling (202) 727-4TAX (727-4829). Customer service representatives are available to assist property owners in the Customer Service Walk-in center, located on the 1st floor of 941 North Capitol Street, NE, between the hours of 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.