Assessed Value

Definition

Assessed value is a valuation placed on a property by a public tax assessor for purposes of taxation. This value is usually a percentage of the property’s market value and may differ from city to city or county to county, depending on local laws. It plays a crucial role in determining the amount of property tax the property owner is obligated to pay.

Phonetic

The phonetics of “Assessed Value” is /əˈsɛst ˈvæljuː/.

Key Takeaways

Assessed value is a crucial factor in property taxation and real estate investment. Here are three main takeaways:

1. It Determines Property Taxes: Assessed value is often used by local governments to calculate property taxes. Generally, the higher the assessed value, the higher the property tax that homeowners have to pay.
2. It May Not Reflect Market Value: Assessed value may not always accurately reflect a property’s market value. It is determined by property tax assessors based on a variety of factors, including the property’s physical characteristics, its comparative value to similar properties, and any income it may produce, among others. Therefore, it is possible for a property’s assessed value to be either higher or lower than its actual market value.
3. It Can Change Over Time: Property assessments are not static and can change over time. This can be due to changes in a property’s condition, improvements made to the property, changes in the local real estate market, or changes in local tax laws and rates.

Importance

Assessed Value is a crucial term in the world of business and finance as it is primarily used for tax purposes. Local government agencies determine the assessed value of a property to levy property taxes correspondingly. Thus, this assessed value directly impacts the amount a property owner pays in taxes. Moreover, this term is also essential for lenders and investors in evaluating the value and potential risk or return of an investment, primarily in real estate. The assessed value may serve as a base point for insurance companies to determine policy premiums, hence playing a significant role in different aspects of business and finance.

Explanation

Assessed value is primarily used to calculate property taxes within a jurisdiction. Local or county government assigns this value to a property for that purpose. This is a critical feature in public finance as it is the basis for determining the amount of property tax to be paid by a property owner. The assigned value is a significant determinant of how much revenue will be generated for local governments for public service provisions such as education, public safety, infrastructure, and public health.Typically, assessed value is not computed on the market value of the property directly, but rather as a percentage of the market value, known as the “assessment ratio”. This ratio can significantly vary from one jurisdiction to another. Understanding one’s property’s assessed value is important as it can be contested if one believes it is set too high, thus potentially reducing the owed tax amount. Hence, the purpose of assessed value while fundamentally being a revenue tool for local jurisdictions, it also provides transparency to property owners on calculation of their tax obligations.

Examples

1. Property Taxes: In many regions like New York City, the local government assesses the value of a home or property to determine the property tax that the owner needs to pay. For instance, if a home had an assessed value of $500,000 and the local tax rate was 2%, the owner would owe $10,000 in property taxes for that year.2. Car Registration Fees: In some states such as Virginia, car owners are required to pay personal property taxes on their vehicles. The tax amount is calculated based on the assessed value of the car, typically deriving from the average trade-in value listed in a used car guidebook recognized by the Commissioner. The higher the assessed value of the vehicle, the higher the tax you will have to pay.3. Commercial Real Estate: For a commercial real estate investor, understanding the assessed value is crucial for cost calculations. For example, if an investor wants to buy a commercial building valued at $1 million by the local government, they will factor this into their calculations for costs like annual taxes and insurance. This assessed value can also often be used during negotiations for the sales price.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Related Finance Terms

• Property Tax
• Market Value
• Appraisal
• Tax Assessor
• Real Estate Valuation

Sources for More Information

• Investopedia
• Business Dictionary
• The Balance
• Corporate Finance Institute