Washington County, Tenn. property owners question new tax assessment

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — On Monday, several property owners in Washington County, Tennessee went to the property assessor’s office to voice concerns that their recent rate increase was too high.

Assessor of Property Robbie McGuire said he feels the numbers are correct, given the increase in market value.

“This brought [us] up to true market value, that’s what the re-appraisal does is bring the home up to market value,” he said.

McGuire says his team considered inflation, rising costs of building materials, supply and demand in this real estate market, and home sales from the last year to create the new numbers.

However, residents questioning their assessments disagree and say inflated sales prices don’t equal true value.

That’s why Anthony Campbell said he’s appealing his tax appraisal.

“The properties are not worth what people are paying for them and it’s run the market up,” Campbell said. Another property owner, Max Shaw, said he doesn’t feel he’d be able to sell his home for what the new appraised value reflects.

But what worries most residents is wondering if their taxes will increase as much as the value.

McGuire says that’s not the way it works, as the state will recalculate the tax rate to an amount that would bring in revenue to the county close to or equal to the previous values and tax rate.

For example, a home in Johnson City was valued at $238,000 in 2019. The new assessment is $414,000. That’s a 74% increase in value. Based on current projections by McGuire, that homeowner would only see about a $300 increase in taxes–or about 12%.

However, a property tax increase still could happen, according to McGuire. That would be decided by the county commission.

“If the county commission feels like we need a tax increase, then after they accepted the certified rate, they would actually declare a tax increase and have a public hearing; but that’s all on the commission.”

Property owners do have the option to appeal an assessment by calling the assessor’s office and asking for a hearing date. It may mean hiring a licensed property appraiser.

McGuire says property owners should also call their home insurance company, because they may need to increase the amount of insurance on their home if the value has increased.

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