The Real Property Appeal Form is the Gaston County Tax Office form that asks for a hearing before the Gaston County Board of Equalization and Review on the assessed value of a parcel. It is one of the Gaston County property tax forms, and an owner or an authorized representative completes a separate form for each parcel under appeal. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original PDF and the appeal procedure at gastongov.com.
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What is Real Property Appeal Form – Gaston County, NC?
The Real Property Appeal Form is the Gaston County Tax Office form, issued through its Appraisal Division, on which a property owner requests a hearing before the Gaston County Board of Equalization and Review to appeal the assessed value of real property.
The form identifies the parcel (Property Key, NBHD#, current owner and property address) and who is appealing. It then asks for the reason for the appeal, your opinion of the property's fair market value as of January 1, the value you are appealing, the purchase date, the cost of any improvements added since purchase, and whether an independent appraisal has been made. The version provided prints a 2026 assessed value and a fair market value date of Jan 1, 2023.
The county's appeals page explains that owners may ask for their property's value to be reviewed in light of aspects that may not have been included when the value was set. The taxpayer carries the burden of proving that the property was incorrectly valued and that the tax value substantially exceeds its true market value as of January 1 of the most recent reappraisal year.
The form covers real property. The county's page says personal property may be appealed within 30 days of the bill date, and it does not tie that rule to this form.
Who needs to file Real Property Appeal Form – Gaston County, NC?
Owners of real property in Gaston County who disagree with the assessed value of a parcel use this form to ask for a hearing before the Board of Equalization and Review. A separate form is completed for each parcel placed under appeal, and the appealing party must complete all applicable sections.
The form must be signed by the taxpayer or an authorized representative. The county defines an authorized representative as an attorney at law, or an attorney in fact designated under a duly executed power of attorney.
Owners who received a Notice of Value Change from the County Tax Office have a different time limit, described under when to file. In a reappraisal year, the county runs an informal appeal first; if you still disagree after its decision letter, you can appeal to the Board.
This form is not for personal property. The county's page gives personal property its own period, 30 days from the bill date.
When to file Real Property Appeal Form – Gaston County, NC
File the appeal no later than the Board of Equalization and Review's adjournment in the tax year. The Board typically adjourns the last week of April, and the actual dates are advertised in the Gaston Gazette in March.
If you received a Notice of Value Change from the County Tax Office, you have the later of the Board's adjournment date or thirty days from the date on the notice.
By statute the Board convenes not earlier than the first Monday in April and not later than the first Monday in May. It adjourns on or before the third Monday in May unless it deems it necessary to continue meeting, but no later than June 30, and it may continue to hear appeals after that date.
In a reappraisal year (the county's page refers to 2027), an informal appeal comes first. If you still disagree after the decision letter, you have 30 days from the mailing of that letter or until the adjournment date to appeal to the Board.
Documents you need
- Income and expense information for the three most current years, only if the property is income producing; the form asks you to include it.
- Supporting evidence of market value as of January 1 of the most recent reappraisal year, such as an appraisal of the property or comparable sales of like property; the county calls these helpful, not mandatory.
- Photographs, statements of income and expenses for income-producing property, or replacement or reproduction costs, as additional helpful evidence listed on the county's appeals page.
- Proof of authority, such as a duly executed power of attorney, when an attorney in fact signs for the taxpayer.
How to fill out Real Property Appeal Form – Gaston County, NC
Identify the property
Enter the Property Key and NBHD# from your assessment records, then the current owner's name and the property address.
Name the person appealing
In Appealed By, enter the owner or the authorized representative. Add the mailing address and an email address.
State the reason for appeal
Under Reason for Appeal, explain why you believe the assessed value is wrong, including aspects of the property that may not have been counted.
Give your fair market value opinion
Enter your opinion of the property's fair market value as of the January 1 date printed on the form, then the value you are appealing.
Enter purchase and improvement details
Enter the date the property was purchased as MM/DD/YYYY and the cost of any improvements added since purchase, if any.
Report any independent appraisal
Answer YES or NO. If yes, enter when it was made, by whom and the appraised value.
Add income information if applicable
For income-producing property, prepare the three most current years of income and expense information to include with the form.
Enter your phone numbers
Give a home and a work telephone number, including the area code.
Sign and date the certification
The taxpayer or an authorized representative signs and dates under the statement that the information is true and correct.
Review, download and assemble
Check each entry against your evidence, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package for the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Real Property Appeal Form – Gaston County, NC
You can submit the Real Property Appeal Form to the Gaston County Tax Office by mail, by email or in person, or you can use the county's online appeal form instead of the PDF.
- Mail: Gaston County Tax Office, PO Box 1578, Gastonia, NC 28053.
- Email: [email protected].
- In person: at the Tax Office. The form's letterhead lists the Appraisal Division at 128 W. Main Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052.
- Online: the county's online appeal form, reached from https://www.gastongov.com/916/Appeals.
For questions, the form lists phone 704 - 866 - 3158 - Option 2 and fax 704 - 866 - 3103. The county urges all taxpayers to send supporting information before the hearings. The Tax Office notifies you of the hearing date before the Board meets, and you may appear in person, be represented by counsel, or be represented by your attorney in fact. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing after the Board of Equalization and Review adjourns, unless you received a Notice of Value Change and are still within thirty days of the date on it.
- Using one form for several parcels; the county asks for a separate form for each parcel under appeal.
- Submitting the form unsigned, or signed by someone who is neither the taxpayer nor an attorney at law or attorney in fact.
- Omitting the three most current years of income and expense information for an income-producing property.
- Offering evidence of value as of a date other than January 1 of the most recent reappraisal year.
- Appealing without supporting evidence, even though the taxpayer has the burden of proving the property was incorrectly valued.
- Leaving the Reason for Appeal blank instead of stating why you disagree with the value.
- Using this real property form for personal property, which the county handles within 30 days of the bill date.
Frequently asked questions
How do I appeal my property value in Gaston County?
Complete the Real Property Appeal Form, or the county's online appeal form, and submit it to the Gaston County Tax Office. The form requests a hearing before the Board of Equalization and Review. Use a separate form for each parcel and have the taxpayer or an authorized representative sign it.
What is the deadline to file a Gaston County real property appeal?
The request must be filed no later than the Board of Equalization and Review's adjournment, typically the last week of April, with dates advertised in the Gaston Gazette in March. If you received a Notice of Value Change, you have the later of adjournment or thirty days from the notice date.
Can I submit the appeal form by email or mail?
Yes. The county says the PDF can be mailed, emailed or submitted in person. Mail it to Gaston County Tax Office, PO Box 1578, Gastonia, NC 28053, or email [email protected]. An online appeal form is also available.
Who can sign the Real Property Appeal Form for me?
The taxpayer signs, or an authorized representative does. The county defines that as an attorney at law, or an attorney in fact designated under a duly executed power of attorney. Other persons are not listed as able to sign.
What evidence should I include with my appeal?
The taxpayer must prove the property was incorrectly valued. The county lists helpful items: appraisals, comparable sales, photographs, income and expense statements for income-producing property, and replacement or reproduction costs. The form itself requires three years of income and expense data for income-producing property.
What happens in a reappraisal year?
The county first runs an informal appeal, using the online form, an appointment with an appraiser, or the form attached to the reappraisal notice. You receive a mailed decision, and the value may rise, fall or stay the same. You then have 30 days from the mailing or until adjournment to appeal to the Board.
Can I fill out the Gaston County appeal form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with Gaston County, and does not file the appeal; you submit it to the Tax Office through the county's channels.
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