Property taxes seem to keep increasing despite all the rhetoric for budget cutting. Substantive local budget cutting issues never seem to make it on the ballot, at least not in my Township. In my opinion there should be a good 10 cost cutting initiatives on the ballot each election.

Nevertheless, declining property values equals a higher tax rate. With the credit crunch and the declining tax base of lower priced homes, homeowners will have to fork over a larger portion to the taxman.

Still you have a good chance to win a tax appeal. It should be easy to find less expensive comparables of sold homes to make your case.

With the massive tax increases that are in store, the amount of winnings on appeal will be larger … and with a win the new derived assessment will roll over and result in future years of tax savings.