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RE: PARCEL NUMBER:
TYPE OF PROPERTY:
PROPERTIES ADDRESSED AT:
This agreement will confirm that the undersigned as owner(s) or authorized agent of the referenced property on page-1 has individually, commissioned PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. as its exclusive agent, for a contingency fee, to evaluate the Year 2016 Ad Valorem tax assessments. This commission enables PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. to act as agent/consultant for, prepare evidence and negotiate on behalf of the undersigned, any matters related to the assessment of the properties in question. This will include but not be limited to presenting and discussing evidence before a Special Magistrate at a County Value Adjustment Board hearing, or any conference with a County Property Appraiser representative in an attempt to reduce the Year 2016 assessment/taxes. It is understood that there is no guarantee of a particular outcome, resulting from such a Value Adjustment Board hearing or conference with the County Property Appraiser Office representative.
Property owner(s) agree upon request, to provide PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC., any pertinent information (including but not limited to access to subject properties, rent rolls, income and expense data, surveys, etc.) that maybe required for analysis and evidence, to pursue this matter towards a successful conclusion.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REQUIRED PAYMENTS BEFORE THE TAX DELINQUENCY DATE TO AVOID DENIAL OF YOUR PETITION; AS PER (SECTION 194.014 F.S.):
State law requires a partial payment of taxes on properties that have a Value Adjustment Board petition on or after the payment delinquency date (normally April 1, following the assessment year under review but this date can vary). If the required partial payment is not made before the delinquency date, the Value Adjustment Board will deny your petition. The last day to make the partial payment before the delinquency date is generally March 31. Review your tax bill or contact your tax collector to determine your delinquency date.
Petitioners should be aware that even if a Special Magistrate’s recommended decision has been issued, a partial payment is still required before the delinquency date. A Special Magistrate’s recommended decision is not a final decision of the Value Adjustment Board. A partial payment is not required only if The Value Adjustment Board makes a final decision on a petition before April 1. The payment amount depends on the type of petition filed on the property. ALL non-ad valorem taxes (personal property) have to be paid by April 1. For Ad valorem (real estate) taxes the 75% rule applies less applicable discounts – s. 197.162, F.S.
If PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. is successful in the appeal, services are considered rendered and payable. The undersigned agrees to pay a fee equal to 36% of the actual gross tax dollars (as a result of an Administrative Appeal to the County Property Appraiser or by a Special magistrate appointed by the Value Adjustment Board a/k/a VAB) attributable to the amount of the reduction in the assessed value. Discounts for early payment and other tax exemptions are not considered in the computation of the foregoing fee formula.
BY WAY OF EXAMPLE: if the assessed value for YEAR 2016 is reduced by $150,000.00, and the millage rate for that municipality is $23.00/$1,000.00 of assessed value, then the tax savings to the property owner of $3,450.00 is the basis of the fee of 36% percent or $1,242.00. Such fee will be made payable to: PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC.
A reduction in assessed value and the commensurate tax reduction will cause the County Tax Collector Office to either issue a tax refund check to the payer of the real estate taxes (e.g. mortgage company or escrow agent) or a revised tax bill to the property owner, for any remaining deficiency due to partial payment, whereby no refund check or amount will be rewarded or sent to the property owner. The fee to Property Tax Experts, Inc. is due upon the first of the following to occur: ten days after your receipt of the refund check; ten days after your receipt of notice that the check has been issued by the County Tax Collector, or in the event that you have not paid the taxes due in full and will accordingly not be receiving a refund ten days after your receipt of notice of a reduction of the tax assessment. The fees due to Property Tax Experts are deemed earned and payable upon the first of the foregoing events to occur. You are responsible to pay Property Tax Experts whether you or your lender receive the refund check.
Proof of reduction in assessed value and tax savings granted, shall be sent to property owner in the form of a Special Magistrate’s Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law form or County Appraiser Settlement form (sometime called a Resolve Form Resolution Agreement) accompanied by an invoice for payment based on the above fee calculation formula.
If County Tax Collector Office mailed tax refund to designated payee (e.g. lending institution), then fee is deemed earned and payable within 10 calendar days from date of invoice. Invoices not paid when due will accrue interest at the highest rate allowable by law; commencing on the thirty-first day of invoice. Said fees become due and owing (as described above) and continuing until paid in full. In the event fees are not paid when due as required by this agreement, then PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. is authorized, and will have the right to record a lien against the property(s) identified herein, to secure such fee(s) due. If PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. takes any legal action to enforce collection of a delinquent fee(s); property owner(s) agree to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney fees, interest accruals and all other court costs. VENUE FOR ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING SHALL BE IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA. Parties mutually agree to waive trial by jury in any court action. It is expressly understood that this agreement does not encompass any other appeals or court actions; only an appearance before the County Appraiser and or Special Magistrate. It is further understood and agreed that the above representation does not include any legal exemption issues. Such legal exemption issues include but are not limited to appeals concerning any agriculture, veterans, disability, portability or homestead exemption issues which client may have.
It is the responsibility of the property owner(s) or entity to request from The County Tax Collector Office a reissuance of any refund check(s) that were lost, stolen or sent to an incorrect mailing address. Property Tax Experts, Inc is still entitled to payment within 30 days of receipt of invoice with proper proof of reduction in page-4assessed value.
Billing errors shall be resolved immediately. A worthless check fee of $50.00 shall be charged.
In the event there is no reduction in the assessed value, there will be no fee earned. With a successful tax appeal; if it has been determined that the property owner(s) had not paid his/her/their property taxes, and that no tax refund is to be made available by the County Tax Collector Office because the property owner decided to pay the taxes based on the adjusted amount of the taxes; based on the results of an appeal; then earned fee is due and payable within 30 days of invoice.
In the event that any property (while in the appeal process) is sold or otherwise transferred, prior to the conclusion of PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. engagement, and or the payment of its fee(s); client shall continue to remain liable for the payment of fee to PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. until paid or unless and until client’s transferee assumes in writing, client’s obligations under this agreement.
PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. may unilaterally withdraw from representation of the undersigned, in the event that it is determined that the subject property(s) is/are fairly assessed or if it is determined that the appeal has no merit or not warranted; if there are other legal actions that have been taken against property.
The property owner(s) shall be required to pay a $30.00 filing fee per property petitioned. A check shall be made payable to: PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC prior to filing the petition(s). All major credit cards are accepted for payment.
PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. is entitled to a cancellation fee of $500.00/property fee for costs and time incurred for preparation of evidence, if property owner(s) withdraws a petition within 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled hearing date. PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC is entitled to full contingent fee if petitioner’s evidence is heard by a magistrate; the magistrate renders a decision in favor of a reduction, but magistrate’s findings are subsequently voided or cancelled (by notification from The Value Adjustment Board) due to petitioner’s non-payment of ad-valorem and or non-ad-valorem taxes. PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC is entitled to a $500.00/property fee for preparation of evidence within 15 calendar days prior to hearing if the Value Adjustment Board voids out petition due to non-payment of ad-valorem and or non-ad-valorem taxes.
Property owner(s) should not wait for a particular outcome of a hearing(s) before paying the property taxes. Property taxes should be paid upon receipt of your YEAR 2016 Ad Valorem tax bill. PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC. is not responsible for owner’s late or delinquent or non-payments.
If property owner is other than a natural person, the signor of this agreement also agrees to be personally responsible for all fees, cost and other obligations under this agreement
APPROVED AND ACCEPTED: APPROVED AND ACCEPTED:
PROPERTY TAX EXPERTS, INC.
By: By: x______
STEVEN N. HOUSMAN, President By: X
DATE: August 10, 2016 Title: X______
Date: X______
Telephone #______
E-MAIL______