Guide to Property Assessors Offices - Alaska

Alaska property tax records are a great tool as you consider investing in land
By Kelly Shetsky

Alaska property assessors are few and far between. Even though it's the largest state, only a small portion of its land is subject to property taxes. Twenty-five Alaskan municipalities levy a property tax, with the average being about $1,200.

In addition to assessing land, property assessors also provide ownership change information, up-to-date maps of property lines and property descriptions. Alaska assessors will analyze trends in property sales prices, the costs of constructing a new property and the average expense for renting property as well.

Alaska property assessment can cause your property taxes to vary, depending on how often they're done. Typically, Alaska assessors can't go inside a property, so the value is based on the exterior appearance. Alaska property assessor records can help to:

1. Research potential investment properties.

2. Track property market trends by checking out the rise and fall of Alaska property values.

3. Appeal unfair Alaska property values after researching comparable properties.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get familiar with how Alaska property assessments are done Knowledge is power to the investor. If you don't understand your Alaska property assessment, you won't know if the assessment on your land or building is fair.

I recommend: The Municipality of Anchorage Treasury Division explains how property taxes are billed and collected. Bankrate.com gives a simple explanation of how Alaska property assessors do their job; just follow the "Property" tab for more information.

Use online records and tools to perform an Alaska property tax search Although there aren't many taxing districts in Alaska, you can still find assessors online. Alaska property assessment is public record, so you have the right to access and examine as many assessments as you'd like.

I recommend: DirectPass, Searchsystems.net’s online database, allows you to get information from property assessors in Alaska. It costs about $5 per month. Skipease and Assessor Links USA lists information about property assessments in Alaska as well as specific links to Alaska property assessors' offices. USSearch’s online tools let you run property tax searches, get property detail, do comprehensive valuation analysis and more.

Determine taxes by using similar Alaska property tax records If you're buying an investment property that's similar to others in the area, it's safe to assume the values will be comparable. If they're not, though, you have the right to appeal the Alaska property assessment to the appropriate office or the state.

I recommend: Do an Alaska property tax search through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office online database for properties. Use the Office of the State Assessor for contact information and land management and mapping information. Search for addresses in the two municipalities with online databases--the Anchorage Real Estate Property Taxes and Juneau Alaska Assessor's database.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

There are a few exemptions available on your Alaska property tax assessment. Disabled veterans and property owners 65 or older get the first $150,000 of assessed value disregarded.
Keep in mind, property assessors in Alaska base their assessments from the outer appearance of the property only. Any improvements made on the land or property can increase the value of your assessment; even if they were ones that you had not made.