Tax notices go out

Property Notices of Assessment for Tax Year 2017 were mailed Wednesday, April 12.

According to Hot Springs County Assessor Shelley Deromedi, “Properties throughout Wyoming are assessed to the owner of record and valued as they existed as of January 1 each year.”

The Assessor’s office has the statutory responsibility for determining the current fair market value of taxable property annually. The level of assessment is set by statute and the mill levy is based on budget requests from various taxing entities (school districts, fire districts, etc.).

Mill levies for 2017 will not be set until August. Statute requires the Assessor use the prior year mill levies to calculate an estimated tax for comparison.

Tax notices for this year reflecting the actual amount of taxes will be mailed in September from the Hot Springs County Treasurer. Those notices also reflect the breakout of how tax dollars are distributed.

Deromedi stated, “Property owners should review the amount noted as “Total Valuation Used to Calculate Tax”, and determine if it is the approximate value of their property if sold January 1, 2017. If they agree with the value, owners are not required to respond.”

Property owners have the right to appeal the market value stated on their assessment schedule; however, this must be done within 30 days of the mail date on the Notice of Assessment. For 2017, the deadline is May 12th.

Upon a request for review, staff will review the characteristic information for the property with the owner to ensure the information is accurate. Onsite inspections will be coordinated with the owner. Sales information that was used to determine the market value of their property will be provided if requested.

It is only during the 30-day period that access to this sales information is granted per Wyoming statute(s), and only by personally visiting the Assessor’s office. During this review, the property owner should provide any information they would like to have considered such as a recent appraisal or market analysis and any special conditions or influences they feel may affect the property value.

Property owners have the ability to register for eNoticesOnline for the first time this year. Instructions for setting up your online account are included with the Notices of Assessment and are also located on the Assessor Office webpage on the county website, http://www.hscounty.com

Deromedi also reminds Wyoming Veterans who have not applied for their 2017 Veteran’s Exemption, the deadline for applying is May 22nd.

For more information, contact the Assessor’s office located on the second floor of the County Courthouse, 415 Arapahoe, or call 307-864-3414. Additional information about the assessment process can be obtained at: http://www.hscounty.com/departments/Assessor.