Frequently Asked Questions

Then you don't proceed — and you don't pay anything.

We don't take cases just to take them. If there's no real opportunity, we'll tell you upfront.

We work on a contingency basis. That means we only get paid if we save you money.

There are no hourly fees and no legal retainers. (We do collect $1,000 at the outset to cover filing and misc. fees)

Then you owe us nothing.

Our incentives are aligned with yours — we only win when you win.

Most cases are resolved within the same year, often without going to Tribunal, BTA, IBTR. Some cases take longer depending on the municipality and complexity.

We handle the entire process and keep you informed.

No.

We handle filings, negotiations, and communication with the municipality. Your involvement is minimal.

We handle commercial properties, including:

• Retail
• Office
• Industrial
• Multifamily (5+ units)

(We do not handle single-family residential properties.) See all services.

If the deadline passes, you are generally locked into that assessment for the year.

That's why we strongly recommend reviewing your assessment as soon as received. See 2026 filing deadlines.

No.

This is about making sure your taxes reflect reality — not outdated or inflated values.

The Det PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program is a City of Detroit initiative that allows multifamily property owners (6+ units) to replace their traditional property tax with a significantly lower service charge — potentially saving up to 80%.

Once approved, the reduced rate is locked in for 15 years and can be renewed for an additional 15. Applications are rolling, but limited to 1,500 units per year on a first-come, first-served basis.

EPTA handles the entire application process. Learn more about the Det PILOT program.

We serve commercial property owners across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Our team handles appeals in major metro areas and suburban counties throughout all three states.

In Michigan, we regularly work in Wayne County and Oakland County. In Ohio, we handle cases in Cuyahoga County and beyond. In Indiana, we serve Marion County and surrounding areas.

If you own commercial property in any of these states, we can help.

Assessed value is the figure your local assessor assigns to your property for tax purposes. Market value is what your property would actually sell for in an open transaction between a willing buyer and seller.

These two numbers should be closely related, but they often diverge — especially when assessors rely on outdated data, mass-appraisal models, or incomplete property records. When your assessed value exceeds your true market value, you're overpaying on taxes.

Understanding this gap is the foundation of a successful appeal. Read our commercial property tax assessment guide for a deeper breakdown.

Start by comparing your assessed value to recent sales of similar properties in your area. If your assessment is significantly higher than what comparable properties are selling for, there's a good chance you're over-assessed.

Other signs include a large year-over-year increase in your assessment, a decline in property income or occupancy, or physical issues that reduce value but aren't reflected in the assessment.

Use our over-assessment checker for a quick self-evaluation, or learn what evidence supports a strong appeal in our appeal evidence guide.