What if property owners do not agree with their Reappraisal Value?

A team of appraisers makes every effort to ensure that all unique characteristics of a property are considered in establishing fair market value. When property owners have a concern regarding their appraisal or classification and do not agree with the Assessor's value, they should request an Informal Review.

Because the deadline to file a 2010 appeal to the Shelby County Board of Equalization expired on June 30, 2010, the Assessor’s staff is reviewing property values for the 2011 tax year.

An Informal Review is not an appeal. It is an opportunity for property owners to share information with the Assessor's Office in order for their property values to reflect fair market value for the 2011 tax year.

There are three ways to initiate an Informal Review:

  1. Complete the Online Form. This is the fastest and most convenient way to initiate an Informal Review.
  2. Call the Assessor's Answer Center at 901-379-7333.
  3. Visit one of the Assessor's two convenient locations.

To assist in the Informal Review, property owners should submit documentation that supports their opinion of the value of the property in question. Examples of such documentation include:

  • Sales prices of similar properties in the immediate area within the last two years.
  • Recent private appraisal.
  • Photos of the property.
  • Any other information the property owner believes will assist appraisers in analyzing the property's fair market value.

Documentation/information may be submitted by using the Online Form, by faxing 901-379-7197, by mail, email, or by dropping it off at one of two convenient locations. Property owners should include their property’s parcel identification number for all pieces of documentation submitted.

The Assessor’s Answer Center will contact you regarding the results of your 2011Informal Review.

Property owners who disagree with the results of their 2011 Informal Review can appeal to the Shelby County Board of Equalization beginning May 1, 2011.

If you have any questions regarding this information or the Informal Review process, please contact the Assessor’s Answer Center by email or by calling 901-379-7333.

Here's the appeal process:

  1. Shelby County Board of Equalization (SCBoE)
    The Board of Equalization is an independent body that meets beginning May 1, of each tax year. Failure to file an appeal could result in the assessment becoming final without further right of appeal. For information and forms related to filing an appeal to the SCBoE, please contact the Board by calling 901-379-7160. The SCBoE does not currently provide appeal forms online or in a downloaded format.
  2. State Board of Equalization (SBoE)
    If property owners disagree with the County Board of Equalization's resolution, they may appeal to the SBoE, which meets as needed in Shelby County. Anyone filing an appeal at the SBoE must pay a fee to defray part of the cost of processing and hearing property tax appeals at the state level. Part of the fee (up to $6) is for the cost of processing appeals and is nonrefundable. The remainder is for the cost of hearing appeals and is refundable to the extent the appeal is successful or resolved without a hearing. The fee is proportionate to the value of the property under appeal. For more information regarding appeals to the SBoE and fee schedule information, please visit the SBoE’s Web site at www.tn.gov/comptroller/sb/. For additional information, you may contact the SBoE by calling 615-401-7883.
  3. Assessment Appeals Commission
    The next step is to appeal to the Assessment Appeals Commission. This commission meets as needed in Shelby County.
  4. Tennessee State Board of Equalization
    The Tennessee State Board of Equalization holds periodic meetings in Nashville on an as-needed basis.
  5. Courts
    The final step in the appeals process is to file suit in Chancery Court.