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About Sytko Property Services

Sytko Property Services is a property tax consulting company specializing in determining the accuracy of property (residential and commercial) and business assessments for municipal tax purposes. If a property or business assessment is found to be unfair or inequitable, we can either prepare the evidentiary brief tailored to meet the specific requirements of the local municipal authority or offer general information and advice. The information that will be provided will assist the Appellant in preparing for the Hearing in terms of the type of evidence that should be submitted to ensure a greater probability of success. We could also represent the Appellant at the Hearing and present briefs and arguments supporting a reduction in property or business assessment.

Les Sytkowski Sytko Property Services has been providing property and business assessment consulting services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada since 1992. The company’s president, Les Sytkowski (shown on the left), prior to establishing the company had been a sitting member of the Winnipeg Board of Revision for seven years. In that time period, Les Sytkowski acquired a thorough understanding of the assessment system and appeal process. More importantly, he became intimately familiar with the type of arguments that had the greatest impact on the adjudicating Board. After all, as a member and panel chairman of the Board of Revision he knew what evidence and arguments persuaded him and other panel members to consider whether an assessment was fair and equitable. As a property tax consultant, this experience on the Board has been instrumental in driving the success rate of the company to over 75%.

Definitions

Appellant

Individual or company that appeals a property or business assessment. In most cases, that individual or company is the owner of the property or business. It should be noted, however, that individuals other than owners could also appeal an assessment.

Appeal Application

An application requesting the local Review Court to revise the property or business assessment. The property owner or his agent must submit this application by the deadline established by the municipal authority.

Assessment

Value that is placed on the property or business by the local assessment authority.

Assessment Appeals Court, Board of Revision, Board of Review, Court of Revision, Tax Court

These are some of the names that are given to the body that hears appeals to assessments. It is run and financed by the local municipal authority but it operates at arms length. It is composed of citizens and taxpayers that review assessments and make impartial decisions based on evidence presented at the Hearing.

Brief

Appellant's evidence arguing for a lower assessment or assessor's evidence supporting the assessment.

Hearing

A quasi-judicial forum where evidence is presented and arguments made for or against an assessment by the Assessor and Appellant. The proceedings are very similar to that of a regular court in that all evidence is given under oath and is subject to cross-examination by either party. Panel members hear evidence and the decisions they render are based solely on the evidence presented at the Hearing.