Tax appeals must be filed by next week

The Daily Inter Lake

Taxpayers who disagree with the Department of Revenue assessed value of property cannot wait until they receive a notice of taxes due from their county treasurer in November to file an appeal,

In a news release, Flathead County Tax Appeal Board Chairman Richard "Dick" Barron advises taxpayers: "Appeals to the Flathead County Tax Appeal Board must be filed on or before the first Monday in June or within 30 days of the time you receive your notice of change in valuation of real property, or your assessment list of personal property, from the Department of Revenue."

Since taxpayers may not receive assessment notices, they must be aware that they need to file an appeal with the County Tax Appeal Board on or before the first Monday in June.

The board will be in session from July 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2009 to hear appeals.

Before completing tax appeal forms, people must have filed the AB-26 form with the Department of Revenue, located at 100 Financial Dr., Second Floor, 758-5700.

Members of the local board are Barron, from Kalispell; Connie Gress, Whitefish; Ernest Hutchinson, Bigfork; and Norma Weckwerth, secretary.

Tax appeal forms may be obtained from the county Clerk & Recorders Office, 800 South Main, Kalispell, or by calling the Tax Appeal Office at 758-5806 and leaving a message.

If your taxes become due before an appeal is resolved, the taxes should be paid under protest or it may not be possible to obtain a refund.