Lake County property owners experiencing sticker shock after receiving their latest bill can turn to the county assessor's office if they wish to appeal the value of the property being taxed.
Lake County Assessor Jolie Covaciu said Tuesday property owners have until June 10 to meet the appeal deadline for the current tax bill. The deadline for paying the first installment on that bill is May 12.
Covaciu is inviting taxpayers to her office, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, for answers to questions concerning their assessment. She said the assessed value should reflect the amount a willing buyer would pay for the property during the valuation period covered by the tax bill.
She said anyone can appeal by obtaining an application at her Crown Point office. She said the forms also are available for:
Calumet Township residents at the Calumet Township Assessor's office, 501 E 5th Ave., Gary. IN 46402, (219) 885-0555;
Center Township residents at the Center Township assessor's office, 213 S. Court St., Crown Point. 46307, (219) 663-0841;
Hobart Township residents at the Hobart Township assessor's office, 1461 S. Lake Park Ave., Hobart. 46342, (219) 947-7490;
Ross Township residents at the Ross Township assessor's office, 7870 Broadway, Suite C, Merrillville. 46410, (219) 769-2643; and
St. John Township residents at the at the St. John Township assessor's office, 9157 Wicker Ave., St. John. 46373, (219) 365-1075.
She said residents of Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek, Hanover, North, West Creek and Winfield townships must obtain the forms from her Crown Point office.
She said taxpayers can file an appeal online at http://www.in.gov/dlgf or by a letter with your name, address, address of the property that you are appealing. The taxpayer also can include their email address and all phone numbers. Send the letter to: Assessor Jolie Covaciu at 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307.
She said the Department of Local Government Finance website, at www.dlgf.in.gov, has information explaining how assessments are determined and the appeal process as well as the necessary forms.
