Do I need to do this every year?
In our experience, yes. We've had to appeal every year. Check your new assessed value before filing an appeal to confirm.
Property assessment appeal FAQ
Plain-language answers to the questions homeowners ask before spending time or money on a San Francisco assessment appeal.
How do I know if my SF property assessment is too high?
Compare the assessed value with evidence of the property’s fair market value as of January 1. Similar nearby properties with eligible transaction dates can be useful, but condition, remodeling, views, parking, and transaction terms also matter. SF Property Tax Appeal shows a preliminary public-record screen; it does not establish the correct value.
What comparable sales can I use?
Start with the same property type and similar location, living area, lot area when relevant, bedrooms, bathrooms, age, condition, and amenities. For a 2026 San Francisco regular-roll appeal, the relevant value date is January 1, 2026 and comparison sales cannot be later than March 31, 2026. Verify every candidate’s sale date, price, and open-market status before relying on it.
Can I do this myself?
Yes. It can be straightforward for you or your AI agent to find comparable properties, but often it is not. Zillow, Redfin, and MLS search tools do not always make it easy to find the properties that best match the City’s methodology, and AI agents do not always find homes that satisfy all the criteria. If you would rather save the time and tokens, the report costs $10.
What is the 2026 SF appeal deadline?
The 2026 informal decline-in-value review window ran from January 2 through March 31, 2026. The separate 2026 formal regular-roll appeal window runs from July 2 through September 15, 2026. An informal review does not preserve the right to a formal hearing, so confirm the current rules with the City.
How much does a formal appeal cost?
San Francisco’s stated 2026 filing fee for a formal property assessment appeal is $120 and nonrefundable. That City fee is separate from SF Property Tax Appeal. Screening a property for 2025 or 2026 is free. If the property is a strong appeal candidate, the complete report costs $10 once per property and report year. SF Property Tax Appeal does not take a percentage of savings.
Why save the report if my hearing has not been scheduled?
Assessment appeals can take many months to reach a hearing. Saving the PDF preserves the comparison set and the evidence context you used when deciding to file. Before a hearing, verify every sale fact and update the packet with any additional evidence.
What is the refund policy?
If you are unhappy with the service for any reason, contact us for a full refund and we will process it within 24 hours. Your bank or card provider may take additional time to post the credit.
How do I request a refund?
Email hello@figlantern.com or reply to your order confirmation. Include the property address or order number so the purchase can be located. A full refund revokes future website access for that property.
Does SF Property Tax Appeal file or represent me?
No. SF Property Tax Appeal is a self-service evidence product. It does not file an appeal, sign forms, monitor deadlines, give legal or tax advice, provide an appraisal, or represent a homeowner before the Assessment Appeals Board.