Berkeley County Assessor’s Office Introduction Page

Welcome to the official website for the Berkeley County Assessor’s Office. Berkeley County is the second oldest county in the state of West Virginia. Being part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area it is the fastest growing county in West Virginia and among the fastest growing counties in the United States. Berkeley County comprises approximately 322 square miles and eight (8) tax districts ( Arden, Falling Waters, Gerrardstown, Hedgesville, Hedgesville Town, Martinsburg, Mill Creek & Opequon ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_County,_West_Virginia

Preston B. Gooden is the Berkeley County Assessor, elected into office January 1, 2005. Prior to becoming Berkeley County Assessor, Preston was Berkeley County Sheriff from 1989 – 1996 and West Virginia State Trooper from 1967 - 1987.

On April, 2005, the Assessor’s office moved into the old Blue Ridge Outlet Dunn Building and employs 32 full-time and part-time employees.

On February, 2007, the Assessor’s office kicked-off a large GIS project, projected first (1^st) phase completion date of October, 2008. Please read more about this project in the “GIS On The Horizon” section for more information about this exciting project.

On March, 2007, the county contracted with L. Robert Kimball & Associates to obtain aerial photographs that will be utilized in the new Enterprise GIS. These photographs will be combined with the parcel data to give an accurate and detailed representation of real property county-wide.

The Berkeley County Assessor’s Office is attempting to mark the 2008 New Year with a new webpage. Please explore and enjoy the website. Any suggestions or recommendations may be directed to

rkirkbr@assessor.state.wv.us

Thank you.

Preston B. Gooden, Assessor

ALERT #1

If you filed a return with our office last summer (in 2006 for 2007 Tax Year), a copy of all information reported at that time has been mailed directly to you. This is your 2008 Return. Please review all information carefully to determine if changes need to be made for July 1, 2007. IF NOTHING HAS CHANGED; sign and date the form and mail to our office as soon as possible before October 1. IF CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE; mark out the incorrect information as needed. List any new vehicles and their VIN Number. (See detailed instructions). A return envelope and dog card are included for your convenience. Please make sure the form is signed and dated before mailing back to the office. Forms postmarked after
October 1 will be penalized $50.

IF YOU DID NOT FILE WITH US LAST YEAR OR ARE FILING FOR THE FIRST TIME; you may have received a packet containing the original forms. These forms will need to be completed and returned to us before October 1. Copies of these forms are available in any post office lobby. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WERE RESIDING IN BERKELEY COUNTY ON JULY 1, 2007, AND OWNED VEHICLES, BOATS, TRAILERS, ETC.; A REPORT MUST BE MADE TO THE ASSESSOR ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 FOR TAX YEAR 2008. You will not receive the 2008 Tax Statement for payment until July 15, 2008.

If you do not file by October 1, you will need to come to our office after July 15, 2008 and have a tax bill made and a penalty of $50 to $100 (plus interest) will be charged to your bill.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

New 2007-2008 dog license available July 1
Homestead applications accepted July 1 ending December 1. (in office only)
Farm applications accepted July 1 ending September 1. (by mail or in office)
Tax Statements are mailed by the Sheriff’s Tax Office Approximately July 15.
Assessment forms due by October 1 to avoid penalty.
Real Property appraisals will be concentrated in Hedgesville, Martinsburg and Opequon districts by door-to-door visits. Our maintenance review for additions, and changes will include all districts.
All commercial personal property Returns are due by October 1

Please remember to file your assessment form by October 1 to avoid standing in long lines and receiving a $50 to $100 penalty.

Berkeley County Assessor’s Office

Preston B. Gooden, Assessor

400 West Stephen Street, Suite 208

Martinsburg, WV 25401-3838

Telephone 304-264-1904:: Fax 304-262-8484

ALERT #2

2008 ASSESSMENT INFORMATION AVAILABILITY

2008 Real Estate Appraisal/Assessment information will be available for informal public review beginning January 17^th, 2008 my office staff will be available for questions and any informal review a property owner may desire. Our address and telephone number appear above.

If the assessed value of any real estate parcel has increased ten percent (10%), or more, Notice of Increase of Assessment will be mailed during the week of January 14^th.

If, after the assessor’s review, a property owner disagrees or believes his value(s) are not correct, the following procedure is available:

In accordance with West Virginia Code 11-3-24, the County Commission shall, annually, meet for the purpose of reviewing and equalizing assessments made by the assessor.

No questions of Class Changes or late filing of Farms-only questions of Assessed Value.

The Berkeley County Commission will meet as a Board of Review and Equalization in Suite 205 of the County Commission Chambers, 400 West Stephen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as follows:

Friday	February 01, 2008	2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Tuesday	February 05, 2008	2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Thursday	February 07, 2008	2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Monday	February 11, 2008	2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Friday	February 15, 2008	2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Appeal forms may be obtained by mailing a request to either of
the addresses listed below

Berkeley County Commission	Berkeley County Assessor
400 West Stephen Street	400 West Stephen Street
Suite 201	Suite 208
Martinsburg, WV 25401	Martinsburg, WV 25401
Telephone 304-267-5003	Telephone 304-264-1904
Fax 304-267-5049	Fax 304-262-8484

If any person fails to apply for relief on the above scheduled days, he or she shall have waived their right to ask for correction in their assessment list for the current year and shall not, thereafter, be permitted to question the correctness of their list as finally fixed by the County Commission, except on appeal to the circuit court.

Download Application for Review of Property Assessment PDF format

Remember: You must have a valid WV. vehicle registration and driver's license to obtain the lowest
tax rate for you residence.

Forms

You may contact a representative in the Assessor office
concerning the information on the Assessor's page by
clicking HERE
and sending an email.

All photographs and material content
are the property of the Berkeley County Commission.
The information included in this Site is not considered an official record.
All official records are available at the various County Offices.
No reproduction or other use of this material
is authorized