Appeals & Notices

Assessment Notices
The Assessor’s Office mailed assessment notices in February/March 2023 to all owners of real property in Portsmouth. The notices reflect the estimate of value for the upcoming tax year, which began on July 1, 2023.

 

The Appeal is for the proposed values effective July 1, of the FY beginning the new Assessment cycle. (i.e. FY 24-25 would begin 7/1/2024) and this information is noted on the Notice of Proposed Assessment that is mailed to each owner of Real property in the City of Portsmouth, VA. 

 

There is first the Informal period and then Property owners who are not satisfied with the outcome of the decision, or Informal Appeal with the Assessor’s Office and their property assessment, may appeal to the Board of Equalization. The Board consists of a three-member citizen group appointed by the Circuit Court of Portsmouth. Appeals to the Board are made by filing a completed application review form to the Board. The application form is available from the Assessor’s Office.

 

The Appeals Process

  • Property owner(s) may call, write, email or fax the Assessor's Office to discuss the assessed value of their property with an appraiser. 
  • The valuation of a property may only be discussed with the property owner or a duly authorized agent for the owner.
  • In the case of a representative of the owner requesting an informal or formal review, an original signed Letter of Authorization or Power of Attorney, granted by the property owner, is required.
  • The Letter of Authorization or Power of Attorney must specify the person to whom authority is given as well as the level of authority.
  • The Letter of Authorization is valid for the current appeal year only.
  • The form may be found on the 'Forms' tab to the left and must be filled out completely and returned to the Assessor's Office. 
  • The City Assessor’s Office may be reached by phone, fax, and email, and also by mail via USPS or dropping correspondence in one of the City drop boxes.
  • For more information please call 757-393-8631 or visit www.portsmouthva.gov/assessor

 

Informal Appeals were conducted by the City Assessor’s Office for FY 23-24 already: 

  • March 13th -March 17th and March 20 -March 24th Monday thru Fri 9am–12pm and 2-4pm and then extended March 27th thru April 7th  Monday thru Friday10 am until 4pm

No late applications are accepted.

 

Board of Equalization Hearings were conducted for FY 23-24 already:

DATE TIME

• May 3rd, 2023 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.            • May 10th, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.     

• May 17th, 2023 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  (EVENING Session NOT for Tax Reps)

• May 18th, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.      • May 25th, 2023 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • The Office of City Assessor and staff will schedule appointments with property owners, or authorized representatives, upon receipt of a fully completed application.
  • The applications for Informal Appeal to the City Assessor can be mailed or emailed at the request of the property owner or, are available online. If you need assistance or, for more information please call 757-393-8631
  • Informal Hearing (Informal Review)

Each notice displays the dates for informal appeal should the property owner wish to discuss their assessment with an appraiser in our office. These dates usually occur during a one or two-week period in the month of March.
  
This first step in the appeal process is simply an "informal" meeting with the Assessor’s Office. You may speak to an appraiser, review the data used in computing the assessed value, and if necessary, schedule an inspection of the property. An Assessment Appeal Application must be filled out prior to this "informal" meeting. These forms may be downloaded on the Official Forms page or obtained in our office. 

If you have questions regarding the assessed value of your property, or if your opinion of the value of your property differs from the City’s, the City Assessor’s staff is available to provide you with answers concerning the assessment process and your specific assessment. Call our office to schedule an appointment to discuss the assessed value of your property with an appraiser. This process allows the property owner the opportunity to review the data utilized to determine the current assessed value of the property. At this time you can also verify our records for correctness. If you desire an in person inspection of the property, all COVID-19 safety protocols must be followed. 

 

 An appeal of a decision made by the Board may be made to the Circuit Court of Portsmouth. 

 

TAX RELIEF: Relief from Real Estate Taxes is offered through Tax Exemption by Classification:

  • Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled (757) 405-1800 Ext 8302, 8333, or 8447
  • Disabled Veterans or Surviving Spouse (757) 393-8799
  • Tax Exemption by Designation, Land Use and Rehabilitated Real Estate and Rehabilitated Real Estate in Urban Enterprise Zones. To see if you qualify for these programs, contact the City Assessor’s Office at (757) 393-8631 to be directed to the correct person/department.