Staff Report
WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is advising residents to exercise caution regarding private solicitation mailers currently being distributed to homeowners throughout the county.
These property tax “assessment” letters appear designed to encourage homeowners to pay private companies for speculative tax appeal services, according to a news release from the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.
One such mailing, branded under the name Owlue, claims that a homeowner’s property in Warsaw, Indiana, is significantly over-assessed and warns that failure to act before a stated appeal deadline could result in “overpaying for another full year.”
At first glance, the document closely resembles an official government communication. It prominently references the “Kosciusko County Appeal Deadline,” includes property-specific valuation estimates, and repeatedly references the “Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office.”
Although the fine print states the mailing is “NOT a government notice,” the overall presentation may cause confusion and create unnecessary pressure for homeowners to take immediate action.
According to the solicitation, the homeowner’s assessed value was allegedly inflated by nearly $90,000, potentially resulting in approximately $1,760 in annual tax savings if an appeal is filed. The company further states it would retain 30% of any first-year tax savings generated through the appeal process.
The mailing — including its references to appeal deadlines and estimated tax savings — is not affiliated with the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office, Kosciusko County government or any state agency.
The Assessor’s Office has received concerns from residents who believed the mailing may have been an official government notice due to:
• References to county assessment information
• Use of estimated valuation figures
• References to tax appeal deadlines
• The overall appearance and formatting of the document
The Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office reminds homeowners of the following:
• The Assessor’s Office does not endorse or partner with private companies that solicit property tax appeals through mass mailings.
• Property owners are encouraged to independently verify assessment information directly with the Assessor’s Office.
• Estimated “tax savings” presented in unsolicited mailers may not accurately reflect market values, assessment methodology, or likely appeal outcomes.
• Residents should exercise caution before scanning QR codes, sharing personal information, signing agreements, or authorizing representation by third-party companies.
While Indiana property owners do have the legal right to appeal their property assessments, residents are reminded that:
• Appeals may be filed directly through established county and state procedures.
• Official information is available through county government channels.
• Homeowners are not required to hire a third-party solicitation company to initiate an appeal.
The Assessor’s Office also encourages residents to be cautious of solicitations that:
• Imply government affiliation
• Use urgent deadlines to pressure immediate action
• Contain unverifiable claims regarding potential savings
• Lack transparent information regarding company leadership, licensing, or local operations
Residents with questions regarding their assessment, property record card, or appeal rights are encouraged to contact the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office directly.
Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office is at 100 W. Center St., Warsaw IN 46580. Thee phone number is 574-372-2310.
