Which government official is responsible for determining the amount of property tax a homeowner must pay?

Your local property assessor is responsible for determining the assessed value each time your property (real estate or personal property) is reassessed. Depending on there you live, this may be a city property assessor or county assessor. Sometimes one assessor values personal property (cars, business and industrial equipment) and another values real estate (homes, townhomes, condominiums, commercial and industrial properties. some cities and counties reassess very year while others reassess less frequently.

However, the amount that you pay in property taxes is a product of multiplying the most recent assessed value by the personal property tax rate or real estate tax rate. These rates of taxation are set by the city council or county board of commissioners as part of their budget process each year. Your local assessor does not set the tax rate. To find out more talk to your local assessor.