Property Taxation

For sixteen years, Attorney Ryan J. Gibbs has handled ad valorem property taxation issues on behalf of real estate trusts, management companies, corporations and manufacturers, and individuals. His clients must cut costs wherever possible to remain competitive in an environment characterized by “tax and spend” government at the local and state levels.

Mr. Gibbs has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and has personally handled cases in forty states as part of his representation of larger institutional portfolios spanning the United States and Canada. His vast experience in commercial real estate valuation and consulting is crucial to his success as an attorney in the field of Property Taxation.

Ohio

 

The Ohio system of property taxation is unlike any other in the U.S. for three main reasons:

 

1.) In addition to the taxpayer’s right of appeal, the Ohio Revised Code has created a unique right for units of local government, such as Boards of Education, to initiate undervaluation complaints with a local Board of Revision, which the taxpayer and taxpayer’s counsel must defend. These governmental units are nearly always represented by competent counsel, as the taxpayer must be, in order to prevail.

 

2.) There is a vast body of common law at the Appellate, Supreme Court, and Board of Tax Appeals levels that must be carefully analyzed by an attorney with valuation experience, strong legal research background, and advocacy training. Only attorneys licensed to practice in the State of Ohio may represent property owners before a Board of Revision or the Board of Tax Appeals, with very limited exceptions. This body of law creates opportunities for taxpayers who are represented by creative and diligent counsel, particularly in specialized industries such as assisted living, hospitality, manufacturing and restaurants.

 

3.) With very limited exception, a taxpayer or governmental unit may bring only one complaint during each three-year valuation cycle. Procedural pitfalls abound in bringing a complaint before a County Board of Revision, and care must be taken by an attorney familiar with the relevant body of law, to ensure that all formalities are addressed. Again, these pitfalls can be converted to opportunities by an experienced property tax advocate, like The Gibbs Firm. The Gibbs Firm has successfully challenged increase complaints brought by local government on the same basis.

 

In addition to traditional valuation challenges and defense, The Gibbs Firm aggressively advocates for other advantageous tax treatment of its clients, making full use of statutes related to Property Tax Exemption, and applying for Enterprise Zone, Community Reinvestment Act, or historical abatement wherever possible.

 

NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR TAX REDUCTION CREATED BY OHIO LEGISLATURE!

 

Recent changes to the Ohio Revised Code have created a favorable environment for tax reduction with respect to triple-net-leased retail, office, industrial and food service properties, further "clarifying" our law to ensure that only real property, and not goodwill, business value, or enterprise value, are taxed by local government.  Contact the Gibbs Firm immediately to ensure you are not forgoing a valuable opportunity to secure the relief this legislation affords you.  (513) 381-3890 or Ryan@TheGibbsFirm.com.

 

Other States

Recent successes of the Gibbs Firm are posted on this site for your review, and include millions in refunds and tax savings recovered in Alabama, New York, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, and dozens of other states. Mr. Gibbs and The Gibbs Firm have had tremendous success using battle-tested principles combined with knowledge of local procedure and other practical issues affected by the local political and economic climate.

As discussed above, Mr. Gibbs has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and has personally handled cases in forty states, as part of his representation of larger institutional portfolios spanning the United States and Canada. His vast experience in commercial real estate valuation and consulting is crucial to his success as an attorney in the field of Property Taxation.