D.C. Tax Assessors Plan to Visit About 15,000 Homes

The tax man cometh. You've heard the phrase, but now it's going to be a reality for thousands of residents in our area.

D.C. tax assessors plan to visit about 15,000 homes over the next three months to determine if homeowners are paying the correct property taxes -- and they're going to want to enter those homes.

However, homeowners do not have to allow the assessors into their homes or onto their property.

A spokesperson for the District's Office of Tax and Revenue said they conduct annual assessments in part because residents complain about iniquities in property assessments.

The inspections will begin Thursday and continue through the end of August.

Assessors will focus on homes in the Capitol Hill and Old City neighborhoods of the District. Section 39 and 9 are the neighborhoods being inspected -- see a map here (PDF).

D.C. isn't the only jurisdiction that conducts door-to-door property assessments.

In Maryland, assessors knock on doors to ask homeowners questions and to inspect to exterior of homes, but never ask to come into the home.

In Virginia, assessments vary by county. Fairfax County conducts assessments by air using ortho-flyover technology to look for major home improvements. In rare instances, Fairfax County assessors will visit the property.

All jurisdictions monitor building permits as an indicator of home improvements.

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