June 12, 2025
Property owners, a duly authorized agent of a property owner, or those with an interest in a property (such as a lessee) have the right to appeal an assessment. If you want to appeal to the Assessment Division's estimate of market value, you have several opportunities, but you must begin the appeal process at the first level of appeal.
New owners of real property may, under most circumstances, file a petition for an administrative review within 45 days of the purchase date. For more information, please contact the Assessment Division. Be sure to and include and provide the Square, Suffix, and Lot (SSL), and the date of purchase, of your property.
Each property owner is entitled, at no charge, to a copy of their property worksheet and a sales list for the area where the property is located. Information regarding other properties in the relevant area may be available; however, the DC Code requires the assessor to keep certain information confidential. Requests for information regarding other properties may be granted, but fees will be charged based on in accordance with a fee schedule available upon request from the Assessment Division.
Appeal Process
First Level:
Assessor Level: The assessor assigned to a property will discuss the basis of the assessment. You may present relevant information regarding your assessment. Please note that a successful appeal requires meaningful and accurate supporting information. Simply offering an opinion with no factual basis will probably not result in a reduced assessment. The appeal may be conducted in-person, by telephone, or in writing. All individuals representing a Corporation, LLC, Trust, or acting as a Tax Agent are required to complete a mandatory Letter of Agent Authorization (LOAA). Additional Specific instructions for filing the administrative first level appeal are below:may be found on the assessment appeal application.
Submitting a First Level Administrative Review Application:
- To submit a real property tax First-Level Administrative Review Application, please visit MyTax.DC.gov. Click the “Real Property Tab” to locate your property using the “Search” tab. Once you have located your property, then click “Appeal Application” to submit your first-level appeal.
- Appeals can also be submitted by downloading and completing the form(s) below.
Second Level:
If the appraiser and the property owner, or party of interest, do not agree with the final proposed value following the administrative appeal, the property owner may proceed to the Real Property Tax Appeals Commission (RPTAC). You must complete an appeal form and submit it to RPTAC no later than 45 days from the date of your administrative appeal decision notice. RPTAC forms can be obtained by visiting MyTax.DC.gov. For further information, you may call RPTAC at (202) 727-6860. RPTAC will not accept an appeal unless an administrative appeal was filed with the Real Property Assessment Division.
Third Level:
If you are not satisfied with the RPTAC decision, you may appeal to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, using the information on the RPTAC Decision Notice received.
