Skip to main content

e-Li: Electronic Library

Equalization Action by the State Board of Equalization

The State Board of Equalization or the Assessment Appeals Commission, on the basis of reports, evidence, or other available information, takes whatever steps it deems are necessary to effect the assessment of property in accordance with the constitution of Tennessee and the laws of this state. The state board by order or rule must direct that commercial and industrial tangible personal property assessments be equalized using the appraisal ratios adopted by the board in each jurisdiction.  However, such equalization is available only to taxpayers who have timely filed the reporting schedule required by law.1

Equalization may be made by the State Board of Equalization or the Assessment Appeals Commission, as the case may be, by reducing or increasing the appraised values of properties within any taxing jurisdiction, or any part thereof. In the event that the state board or the commission deems it necessary to increase or decrease appraised values of properties of any taxing jurisdiction, or any part thereof, in any manner whereby its action affects properties in general rather than individual properties, it is not necessary that the state board or commission notify each individual property owner as provided for in T.C.A. § 67-5-1510. However, notice of the action of the state board or the commission must be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the affected taxing jurisdiction.2


     1T.C.A. § 67-5-1509(a).  Note: The constitutionality of T.C.A. § 67-5-1509(a) has been upheld; see Williamson County v. Tennessee State Board of Equalization, 86 S.W.3d 216 (Tenn.Ct.App. 2002).

     2T.C.A. § 67-5-1509(b) and (c).