Reducing Inflated Assessments the Competition Overlooked

This petrochemical facility maintains a significant presence in the county.

Challenge:

Unhappy with their prior tax consultant, the company wanted a partner who could review the plant’s fixed assets—and the work performed previously—to identify opportunities to reduce their ad valorem assessments.

Merit Solution:

  • Our property tax team reviewed the facility’s assets to determine the appropriate service life and physical depreciation for each one.
  • Merit Advisors also identified the applicable forms of functional and economic obsolescence for both the plant and industry.
  • Merit scoured the plant’s asset listings for underutilized, out-of-service and intangible assets while cataloging all non-value-added costs and maintenance spending.
  • After discussing our findings with the plant controller and management, we prepared the required returns and negotiated with a taxing representative.

$400,000

Annual Tax Savings

10%

Reduction in Assessed Value Despite Inflation

Rewards of Merit

Explore our case studies to see how Merit helps energy companies unlock trapped value.

Wiping Out Tax Liabilities for Non-Op Interests

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Case Study

This operator engaged Merit to minimize property tax liabilities for its mineral holdings by reducing the working interest values.

Fixing a Mineral Interest Mistake to Secure Big Savings

Royalties & Non-Op
Case Study

This large operator turned to Merit after a state Tax Commission error resulted in an unfair valuation.

Reducing Inflated Assessments the Competition Overlooked

Downstream
Case Study

Unhappy with its prior tax consultant, this petrochemical facility wanted a partner who could reduce its ad valorem assessments.