760 Margrave Drive, Suite 200 • Reno, NV 89502 • Toll free 800-748-5526 • Office 775-829-5911 • Fax 775-829-5915 • nevadarealtors.org
Put a Cap On It! - Tax Cap / Abatement Information
Christal Park Keegan, Esq.
Have you checked to see what rate your property tax is being capped at this year? If not, you
need to be aware that the tax cap status of your property may be set to the default, which is the
higher abatement (“high cap”), and will remain at the higher general abatement level until a
qualifying claim is filed.
Currently, properties qualifying as the owner's primary residence will receive a 3% tax cap, all
other properties are subject to the “Other” tax cap, also known as the “commercial property tax
rate”, which can be up to 8% but this year is set at 4.8%. Even so, property owners need to
“claim their abatement” to ensure they are receiving the 3% tax rate on their primary residence.
Moreover, if a property owner was over charged, they have until June 30, 2020 to appeal.
You may be asking, “how do I file my claim?” Good question. In May of each year, most local
county assessor offices directly mail a card, form, or affidavit to the owners of residential
properties. These notices must be returned by June of each year. The claim forms are also sent
out when there is a change of ownership, construction has been completed, significant change in
the owner’s name or mailing address. IMPORTANT: If the form is not completed and
returned, the “tax cap” status will remain at the higher general abatement until a
qualifying “opting in” claim is filed.
If the rental property is managed by a property management company, the management company
may complete the form on the Owner/Landlord’s behalf but when submitting the form, it should
be accompanied by a copy of the property management agreement or other documentation
demonstrating authority to sign.
Once the assessor receives the form and updates their records, that information is typically
forwarded to the Treasurer’s Office to make the tax adjustments. You can view your tax cap
percentage by visiting the Treasurer’s website.
In the interest of our members, NVR is working to obtain the affidavits / forms from each
county. During our efforts, we experienced lengthy wait times when reaching out to the Clark
County Assessor, so you want to be prepared for that or try calling first thing in the morning.
They will tell you whether your current rate is 3% or if you need to fill out a form, in which case
they will mail you another one. Not every county is as forth coming with the forms, but we
provide the following resources we were able to obtain at this time. Please be sure to check our
eNews and website in the coming weeks and months as we update you with additional
information as we get it.
760 Margrave Drive, Suite 200 • Reno, NV 89502 • Toll free 800-748-5526 • Office 775-829-5911 • Fax 775-829-5915 • nevadarealtors.org
Lastly, you should be aware that properties other than primary residences may qualify for
low cap abatement. Check with your local county to see if there is a special provision that
qualifies your property for low cap abatement.
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Clark County Assessor’s Office: 702-455-3882 or 702-455-4997
Clark County Treasurer: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/treasurer/pages/default.aspx (have
your parcel number handy)
Carson County Assessor: (775) 887-2130
Carson County Treasurer: https://www.carson.org/government/departments-g-
z/treasurer/property-taxes
Elko County Assessor: (775) 887-2130
► Fill out the Owner-Occupancy Verification Card to get an affidavit directly mailed to you:
https://www.elkocountynv.net/assessor1/forms.php
Elko County Treasurer: (775) 738-5694
Douglas County Assessor: (775) 782-9830
Douglas County Treasurer: 775-782-9017 https://cltr.douglasnv.us/treasurytaxes/
Washoe County Assessor: (775) 328-2277
► Abatement Forms can be accessed here:
https://www.washoecounty.us/assessor/forms/index.php
Information about the tax cap percentage from Clark County Assessor (next page):
760 Margrave Drive, Suite 200 • Reno, NV 89502 • Toll free 800-748-5526 • Office 775-829-5911 • Fax 775-829-5915 • nevadarealtors.org
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