Ad Valorem

Taxes may be inevitable, but they don’t have to be inequitable.

Today’s businesses recognize that they must carefully consider their ad valorem tax liabilities.  This is especially critical in light of rapidly moving economic and global forces that are changing the way they do business; how quickly their assets gain and lose value; and how much more (or less) they could be taxed.

Are your taxable assets valued accurately?
Although procedures used by taxing authorities may appear to be precise and based on meaningful market data, developing an opinion of value is not a science; it is an art.  In many cases, assessors rely upon valuation techniques that do not adequately recognize the importance of functional and economic obsolescence.  When this happens, taxpayers find themselves paying more than they are required

A fair and equitable solution 
American Appraisal can work with you to ensure your assessment is fair and equitable.  Our Consultants possess specialized expertise in identifying all types of problems found with real and personal property, including complex issues of functional and economic obsolescence.

Our services
American Appraisal offers diagnostic studies, a low-cost way of reviewing property portfolios and associated property tax assessments and liabilities.  If tax savings potentially exist, we recommend the appropriate path.

• Consulting services,including property tax strategies, obsolescence studies, useful life analyses, cost of capital studies, cash flow forecasts and market transaction studies
• Fixed asset management services, including inventory & reconciliation and periodic updating services
• Real and personal property valuations, including summary valuation reports and self-contained, court-ready reports
• Negotiations and testimony/corporate appeals of property tax assessments and classifications for local boards of review, county and state courts

We are a long-standing ad valorem services leader.
Leveraging our knowledge from thousands of projects, American Appraisal possesses the expertise and resources to provide a highly organized response to any ad valorem engagement, regardless of size or complexity.

• Our valuation team is comprised of ad valorem and industry specialists who annually generate millions to hundreds of millions of dollars in property tax savings for clients worldwide.
• We possess specialized expertise in resolving the complex issues of functional and economic obsolescence and/or to determine value of unique, often one-of-a-kind facilities.

We are independent.
American Appraisal focuses exclusively on valuation and related services.  That independence guarantees our greater objectivity.

• This is our only business.
• We are independent of audit or other attest services, rating agency, investment banking or other conflicts.

We are experts.
Breadth and depth of expertise eliminates the need to rely on subcontractors.  Our Consultants, who have been with us an average of more than ten years, have the experience necessary to value any tangible or intangible asset.

• Focused on and committed to valuation since 1896
• Unrivalled interaction with key valuation standard setting agencies: ASA, FASB, IASB, IVSC, AITF, ITP, SEC and PCAOB, including a current board trusteeship with the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC)
• Designations include ASA, CMI, CPA, ABV, PE, MAI, CGA and CFA. Many of our Consultants hold specialized designations in Real Estate, Machinery & Technical Specialties and Business Valuation disciplines.
• Rounded exposure through working with Big-4 audit/valuation teams, as well as leading investment banks and private equity firms

We are focused on Client needs.
American Appraisal is employee owned.  We aren’t merely involved in valuation; we are unequivocally committed to meeting Client needs.  On every engagement, direct Client access to the firm’s senior management is always the norm, never an exception.