D.C. real estate transfer parties can challenge certain fair market values used for transfer taxes

People transferring or receiving D.C. real estate or an interest in it may ask the tax office to review certain fair market value decisions. The decisions concern values used for transfer or deed-recording taxes. They must file the review request within 45 days after the transfer tax tied to the value decision is imposed.

A person harmed by the tax office’s final decision on a covered fair market value review may appeal to D.C.’s property tax appeals panel. This covers people transferring or receiving D.C. real estate or an interest in it who are harmed by a decision about fair market value used for transfer or deed-recording taxes. The appeal must follow the tax office’s final decision on a review request. They must file the panel appeal within 45 days after the date of the tax office’s final decision notice.

A person harmed by a covered fair market value decision may appeal to D.C. Superior Court. This covers people transferring or receiving D.C. real estate or an interest in it who are harmed by a fair market value decision tied to transfer or deed-recording taxes. The person must have appealed to the panel in good faith immediately before going to court. The person must first pay the related transfer or deed-recording tax and any penalties and interest due. They must file the court appeal within 45 days after the panel issues its final fair market value decision.