Assessment Appeals Board
The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) was established to resolve property valuation disputes between the taxpayers and the Assessor's Office. The AAB consists of three impartial commissioners who act on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and is independent from both the Assessor's and Tax Collector's Offices. The AAB acts in a quasi-judicial capacity and hears evidence from both parties before rendering their decision as to the value of the property. Their decision is final and may not be reheard by the board unless ordered by the court.
The AAB does not have the ability to grant or deny exemptions, to decide disputes involving tax rates, local governemental budgets, tax bills, tax policy, and has no authority to consider the taxpayer's ability to pay their taxes.
If you disagree with the assessed value of your property, you may initiate an assessment appeal. The filing deadline schedule for 2019 assessment appeal for regular assessments is from July 2 through December 2, 2019. Please note that the filing deadline for supplemental and escape assessments is 60 days from the date on the Supplemental or Escape Notice.
The Role of the Assessment Appeals Board
The AAB can only review individual assessments at the hearing brought to its attention by the Assessment Appeals process and only has the authority to determine the value of the property as it existed either on January 1st (the lien date), on the date of a change in ownership, upon completion of new construction, or on the date of a disaster or calamity. The AAB can lower, raise, or confirm the assessed value, remove a penalty assessment levied by the Assessor, and they can reverse a change in ownership or new construction reassessment. The AAB has no jurisdiction on the following matters:
- You feel that your taxes should be as low as your neighbors'
- You cannot pay your tax bills
- You want the tax rate changed
- You were assessed penalty charges for paying your taxes late
- You want a filing extension for your appeal
- Grant or deny exemptions
- Extend filing periods
- Rehear an issue that was already decided
Regardless of your appeal or review status, you must continue paying your taxes; filing an appeal does not waive your obligation to pay your tax bill by the due date. Adjustments will be made after the hearing if the valuation is lowered by the AAB.
ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD MEMBERS
Thomas Casey, Commissioner,
Donald McVey, Commissioner, Chair
Clinton E. Freeman, Vice-Chair
Joan Chipser, Alternate
Geoffrey Wiggs, Alternate
Sadhana Narayan Franchi, Alternate
HEARING LOCATION
Board of Supervisors' Chambers
Hall of Justice
400 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4573