Tax Return Reviews and Audits

Reviews

The purpose of a review is to determine if a property owner has correctly and fully completed their return and reporting schedules. It is based upon the good-faith disclosures of the property owner and information that is readily ascertainable by the appraisal staff. The examination should include a comparison of the current return information with return information from prior years. The appraiser should contact the owner or their agent by an on-site visit, telephone call or written correspondence to attempt to resolve any questionable items. Returns with unresolved discrepancies, unexpected values or incomplete information could be escalated into an audit.

Audits

The purpose of an audit is to gather information that will allow the appraiser to make an accurate determination of the fair market value of the property owned by the property owner and subject to taxation. An audit is an examination of the records of the property owner to make an independent determination of the fair market value of such property where such determination does not solely depend upon the good faith disclosures of the property owner and information that is readily ascertainable by the appraisal staff. Accounts subject to audit generally include three (3) tax years.