Property Assessors Offices - West Virginia Key Terms

Understanding important terms relevant to property assessments in West Virginia counties

Property assessments determine how much property owners, whether on a personal or business level, owe in property taxes each year. Assessments determine the value of specific property and then determine a tax amount based upon a formulated tax rate system. County assessors' offices are responsible for assessing property values and determining these tax rates.

Whether you want to work for a West Virginia assessor's office or simply want to better understand the assessment process for personal or business applications, there are a few key terms you should know.

Property tax

Property tax is a tax typically paid on an annual basis that West Virginia counties place on residential and commercial real property (and sometimes personal property) in order to obtain revenue for municipalities.

Tax classes

Your West Virginia property tax form may have classifications listed on it, determining the tax class your property. Some classes are for machinery, while others are for residential or commercial properties.

Appeal

A property owner is entitled to an appeal if he or she disagrees with the assessed value of his or her property. In order for an appeal to meet approval, the property owner must meet a number of requirements, including the filing of several state and local government forms.

Form STC 12:32C

This is the blue form for business property in West Virginia. Also known as the Commercial Business Property Return, you must file this document no later than July 1 of each year.

Homestead Exemption Credit

The Homestead Exemption Credit provides senior citizens (over the age of 65) or those individuals who are permanently disabled with a tax credit on the first $20,000 of assessed value of their property.

Geographical information system (GIS)

The geographical information system captures geographical reference information for management and analysis of data. West Virginia county assessor's offices utilize the GIS system for real property data on their website databases.