When your Alabama Notice of Valuation arrives in the mail, you have 30 days from the mailing date to file a formal appeal. Understanding what's on the notice — and what to look for — is the first step in deciding whether to appeal. This guide walks through the key fields on a typical Alabama Notice of Valuation and explains what each means for your appeal decision.
Key Fields on Your Alabama Notice of Valuation
Alabama Notices of Valuation vary slightly by county but include consistent core information. These are the fields that matter most for an appeal decision.
- ✓Mailing Date: The date the notice was mailed — your 30-day deadline runs from this date, NOT the date you received it
- ✓Fair Market Value (FMV): The county's estimate of what your property would sell for — this is what you're challenging in an appeal
- ✓Assessed Value: FMV × 10% (for Class III residential) — the base for your tax calculation
- ✓Property Description: Square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, year built — check these against your property's actual characteristics
- ✓Prior Year FMV: Allows you to see how much the county raised your estimated value from last year
How to Calculate Your Appeal Deadline
Your appeal deadline is exactly 30 calendar days from the mailing date printed on the notice. If the notice was mailed on May 1, your deadline is May 31 — regardless of when you received the notice in your mailbox. Do not wait until the last day. TaxAppeal files 7–10 days before the deadline via certified mail.
- ✓Step 1: Find the mailing date on your notice
- ✓Step 2: Add 30 calendar days
- ✓Step 3: That date is your appeal deadline
- ✓Step 4: File at least 7–10 days early to ensure timely certified mail delivery
- ✓Madison County exception: No mailed notice — watch local newspapers for published values
Evaluating Your FMV: Should You Appeal?
Once you know your county's fair market value estimate, compare it to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. If similar homes have sold for consistently LESS than your estimated FMV, you have grounds for an appeal. If similar homes have sold for the same or more, do NOT appeal — the BOE could raise your value.
- ✓Pull comparable sales: Your county assessor's website, Zillow, Redfin
- ✓Look for: Similar sq ft (within 15%), similar age, similar condition
- ✓Sales window: Within 12 months before January 1, 2026 carry the most weight
- ✓If 3+ sales are below your FMV: Strong grounds to appeal
- ✓If sales are at or above your FMV: Do not appeal (two-way review risk)
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my Alabama appeal deadline start? ▾
From the mailing date printed on your Notice of Valuation — not the date you received it. Add 30 calendar days to that date.
What if my Notice of Valuation has errors in the property description? ▾
Property record errors (wrong square footage, bedrooms, improvements) are strong grounds for appeal. Document the error and include it in your protest.
What is Alabama's fair market value for property tax purposes? ▾
The county assessor's estimate of what your property would sell for on the open market between a willing buyer and seller. The assessed value is 10% of this FMV for Class III residential properties.
What if I never received my Alabama Notice of Valuation? ▾
Contact your county assessor's office immediately. If the notice was mailed to a wrong address, document this in writing — you may have grounds for a late filing.
What is Madison County's notice procedure? ▾
Madison County (Huntsville) publishes new values in local newspapers instead of mailing individual notices. Watch Huntsville-area papers each spring for the public notice.