Commercial Real Estate Tax Appeals

Background

On March 1, 2024, Washington, D.C. is expected to release notices of Tax Year 2025 assessments for commercial real estate. Owners will have one month to file an appeal. Given current market conditions and wide-spread vacancies, owners should be alert for opportunities to challenge assessments that are likely to be based on inflated value assumptions. If you believe that your real estate tax assessments are over-valued, do not hesitate to call one of Hirschler’s legal professionals to discuss whether an appeal would be suited to your circumstances.

We Know Commercial Real Estate

Top-ranked for real estate law in Virginia for 15 consecutive years by Chambers USA, our fully integrated Commercial Real Estate practice is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and sophisticated advice specific to high-profile real estate projects across the U.S. Leveraging strong relationships with business, government and community leaders within jurisdictions throughout the country, we advise developers, property owners and tenants in connection with the acquisition, development, financing and leasing of income-producing property and raw land for office complexes, corporate headquarters, planned unit developments, retail projects, hotels, medical office buildings, multi-family projects and assisted living facilities.

Hirschler attorneys address the most complex transactional and litigation engagement types and provide advice and counsel on specific legal issues as they arise throughout the commercial real estate industry. Beyond the technical knowledge you should expect, you can be confident of getting the service you deserve. We are unique compared to other regional firms in providing a fully integrated team focused on our client’s organization, strategic business and legal objectives. Our team’s size enables us to provide focused and efficient attention to each client’s unique tax appeal needs.

Related Tax Appeal Capabilities and Experience

Overview of Hirschler's expertise in real property tax appeals and litigation: Hirschler supports commercial real estate clients with a full complement of niche capabilities specific to the industry, including real property tax appeals and litigation. Consistent with Hirschler’s strong commitment to the real estate development community, its trial lawyers have special expertise in all facets of litigation involving property rights and real estate development.

Coverage of key jurisdictions served by the firm: We are pleased to offer boutique-level services in each of the following jurisdictions, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Our attorneys have business and legal experience in the myriad issues affecting our commercial real estate client, including regularly handling tax assessment appeals. This practice include cases involving assessments in excess of $25 million. In addition, our attorneys have successfully defended tax collection proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.

Discussion of the firm's approach to cost-effectiveness and billing practices: Hirschler is committed to working as cost-effectively as possible while providing our real estate tax appeals clients with the highest quality legal advice. Our commitment extends to providing clients with alternative fee arrangements. In suitable cases and where mutually beneficial, we are open to discussing alternative fee arrangements that enable Hirschler to offer increased value to our clients. Our attorney team is prepared to discuss such arrangements with clients for specific matters or more generally, depending on the range and volume of services that we may provide to you.

Tax Appeal Specialists

Henrik B. Haeckel, Partner, Tax 

Wayne G. Travell, Partner, Litigation and ADR 

John R. Walk, Partner, Real Estate Litigation 

Jaime B. Wisegarver, Partner, Real Estate Litigation 

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