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Officials urge simpler appeals form, better plain‑language resources and multilingual materials
Summary
Clerks and county staff told the BOE work group that confusing assessment appeal applications and limited multilingual and self‑help materials cause delays and extra workload; they urged a single simplified application, plain‑language guidance, translated materials and targeted tutorials rather than multiple overlapping forms.
County clerks, assessors and taxpayer advocates told the State Board of Equalization on Sept. 16 that incomplete or improperly completed assessment appeal applications are a major source of delays and extra administrative work, and they urged the BOE to lead or convene a focused effort to simplify the form and accompanying instructions.
The issue: county clerks process tens of thousands of appeals and often field calls from self‑represented taxpayers who struggle to identify the correct appeal type or to explain the relief they seek on the standard form. Clerks said repeated amendment requests lead to “board consideration” hearings that slow case resolution and increase workload for both clerks and assessor offices.
Why it matters: incorrect or incomplete filings lengthen timelines for applicants and clog calendars. Several clerks warned that creating a second, “simplified” form would likely create more confusion and recommended improving the existing statewide application with clearer language, decision trees, and tutorials.
San Diego Assistant Clerk Anne Moore said many errors occur in sections 5 and 6 of the statewide form — the box where filers indicate appeal type and the text area for reasons. “Section 5 is just simply applicants knowing which type of appeal to select. And then section 6 … asks what did the assessor determine that you believe is wrong and what type of relief are you requesting? That language makes it inaccessible to the average filer,” Moore said.
CCBSA recommended the BOE convene focused work‑group sessions devoted solely to revising the application and instructions, produce plain‑language self‑help materials and decision trees, and consider whether key explanatory publications should be updated and translated. Bridal Velhaquez of CCBSA said the association opposes creating multiple distinct forms because that could lead filers to choose the wrong form and lose appeal rights inadvertently.
Santa Clara Deputy County Counsel Bhavita Madvani recommended short, targeted resources such as “tip sheets” for common property types (residential, commercial, agricultural, aviation, boating) that clerks and AAB members could consult during hearings to ensure consistent evaluation of common factors like zoning, topography and utility access.
LA County staff reported that their video tutorials, resource pages and monthly public education seminars have reduced in‑person and phone inquiries. Jennifer Tran said LA’s tutorials include closed captions and auto‑translate options; she encouraged the BOE to consider producing non‑county specific videos and a user‑friendly application that lets filers skip non‑applicable sections.
Language access: Santa Clara counsel and clerks said key BOE publications are not consistently available in updated translations; while some guidance exists in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese, many translations trail the English versions by several years. Madvani urged the BOE to prioritize updated multi‑language publications for the appeals process and for applicants’ core guidance.
Ending: clerks and county counsel recommended a BOE‑led, focused revision process for the statewide assessment appeal application, accompanied by plain‑language guides, decision trees and updated translations. They asked the BOE to weigh whether minimal changes to the single statewide form could eliminate the majority of common filing errors.
