The Withdrawal Form for Informal Review or Appeal (Form AB-63) is an official document issued by the Montana Department of Revenue for property owners who wish to voluntarily cancel an existing request for a property tax review. Property owners initially use the AB-26 form to dispute their property’s classification or appraisal value, triggering an informal review process. However, circumstances often change—a taxpayer might reach a satisfactory verbal agreement with an appraiser, discover they misinterpreted their assessment notice, or simply decide that pursuing the appeal is no longer necessary or beneficial. In these cases, Form AB-63 serves as the formal legal mechanism to stop the review process. By signing and submitting this document, the property owner effectively tells the Department of Revenue, “I no longer want to challenge my property value,” and officially waives their right to continue that specific appeal for the current tax cycle. It is a critical administrative step to close the file on a dispute and finalize the property’s assessed value as originally determined or subsequently agreed upon.
How To File Form AB-63
Filing this form is a straightforward process, but it requires sending the document to the correct location to ensure your withdrawal is processed immediately.
- Where to Submit: You must submit the completed copy of Form AB-63 directly to the local Department of Revenue office located in the county where your property is physically situated. Do not send it to the main headquarters in Helena unless your local office instructs you otherwise.
- Method: You can typically mail it or drop it off in person. It is advisable to keep a copy for your own records before handing it over.
- Timeline: Submit this form as soon as you have made the final decision to withdraw your appeal to prevent further administrative actions or scheduled hearings regarding your property.
How To Complete Form AB-63: Line-By-Line Instructions
Follow this guide to ensure every section of the withdrawal form is accurate. Errors here could delay the closure of your appeal.
Property Owner Information
- Property Owner Name: Enter the full legal name of the owner(s) exactly as it appears on the property deed or assessment notice. If the property is owned by a business or trust, list that entity’s name.
- Mailing Address: Provide the street address or PO Box where you currently receive mail. This is where the department will send confirmation or future correspondence.
- City, State, ZIP: Fill in the city, state, and ZIP code associated with your mailing address.
- Phone: Include a reliable daytime phone number. The department may need to contact you if they have questions about your withdrawal request.
Withdrawal Request
- Statement of Intent: This section contains pre-printed text clarifying the form’s purpose. It states that by completing this document, you are withdrawing your “Informal Classification and Appraisal Review (Form AB-26).” Read this carefully to confirm this is the action you intend to take.
Property Description
- County: Write the name of the Montana county where the property in question is located (e.g., Gallatin, Missoula, Yellowstone).
- Geocode: Enter the property’s unique geocode. You can find this 17-digit number on your classification and appraisal notice or by searching your property on the Montana Cadastral website.
- Assessment Code: Input the assessment code (sometimes called a taxpayer ID or property ID) found on your assessment notice or tax bill.
- Property Address:
- Street Address: List the physical location of the property you are withdrawing from review (this may be different from your mailing address).
- City, State, ZIP: Enter the city, state, and ZIP code for the physical property location.
Reason For Withdrawal
- Reason: Use the space provided to briefly explain why you are cancelling your review request. Common reasons include “resolved issue with appraiser,” “agree with original value,” or “no longer wish to pursue appeal.” Keep it concise and honest.
Signature
- Waiver Statement: Read the legal declaration in this section. It states that you understand you have a right to an informal review or formal appeal, and that by signing this form, you are willingly waiving that right for the specific property described above. This confirms your decision is voluntary and final for this action.
- Property Owner Signature: Sign your name on the line marked with an “X”. If there are multiple owners, the primary contact or authorized representative should sign.
- Date: Write the current date you signed the form.
Contact For Questions
If you run into issues while filling out the form or need clarification on the implications of withdrawing your appeal, the form provides contact resources:
- Website: Visit revenue.mt.gov for general information.
- Phone: Call (406) 444-6900 for direct assistance.
- Hearing Impaired: Dial 711 for Montana Relay services.