Definition
An official reduction or invalidation of an assessed valuation after the initial assessment for a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property.
Eligibility
You or your agent may file an abatement petition with the Boulder County Assessor to officially request an abatement of taxes due, or a refund of taxes paid.
Abatement petitions may be filed within two years of the date the taxes were levied (January 1st of each year), provided that:
The property valuation was not appealed previously for that specific tax year, or if it was appealed, the abatement petition is not based on overvaluation by the Assessor’s Office.
The person filing for abatement was the owner of record during that year(s).
Deadline for Petition
You have until the first working day of January following the two year deadline to petition for abatement. For example, a taxpayer has until the first working day in January 2015 to file an abatement petition for assessment tax year 2012.
You may download either a one year or two year abatement petition form, or you may call 303-441-3530 to request one from the Assessor’s Office.
Timeline
The abatement review process can take up to six months to complete. The Assessor’s Office will review the petition and any supporting documentation and make a recommendation. While it is your right to file an abatement petition, approval is not automatic.
If your petition is recommended for denial by the Assessor, you will receive a notice of hearing. A representative from the Assessor’s Office will also attend the hearing. The hearing officer will make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and you will receive the BOCC’s decision.
Appealing the Decision
If you are not satisfied with the BOCC’s decision, you may appeal to the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA).
Resolution
If the petition is granted and taxes have been paid, a refund is issued by the County Treasurer.
If taxes have not been paid, a corrected tax notice is sent out by the Treasurer.
If the tax dollar amount to be abated is $10,000 or more, the abatement must be approved by the Colorado Property Tax Administrator .
Questions
You may also contact the Assessor’s Office for more information or questions concerning the abatement procedure at 303-441-3530.