33,000 Cedar Rapids property assessment notices go out today

CEDAR RAPIDS - Many Cedar Rapids residents will be receiving their newest property assessment in the coming days.

The Cedar Rapids City Assessor's office plans to mail about 33,000 assessment notices today. The notices will reveal changes for 2016 property valuations, which are based on market values. The assessments will affect property tax bills beginning in fall 2017.

The assessment will only reflect the raw value and not the state mandated property tax rollback, whereby residential property owners will be taxed on 56 percent of their assessed value and commercial properties will be taxed on 86 percent of their value. Other tax credits, such as homestead, military or business, also won't be included in the assessment.

Residents can appeal an assessment if they believe it is not accurate and doesn't reflect the market value. They can do this by contacting the Cedar Rapids City Assessor's Office to request an informal review at some point from April 2 to April 25. People are urged to make the request early, and can make a written agreement with the assessor's office no later than April 25.

Residents can also petition the Board of Review. Petition forms are available at the assessor's website, http://cedarrapids.iowaassessors.com, or by contacting the assessor's office directly. The petitions must be submitted from April 2 through April 30, and a mailed petition can be postmarked no later than April 30.

The Cedar Rapids City Assessor is located in the City Services Center, 500 15th Ave SW, and can be reached by phone at 319-286-5888. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.