Letters: Vehicle valuations are often wrong

Richland County recently sent me a 2017 vehicle tax notice and payment demand for a renewal vehicle license tag. Vehicle valuations are based on national averages. If you believe a one-size-fits-all system accurately reflects the value of your vehicle, then go ahead and pay forthwith.

If you do not, for reasons of age, vehicle condition and high mileage — and simple arithmetic suggests that numerous vehicles appraised using a flat-rate system will be evaluated too high — then use the appeal process on the back of the tax form, adding photographs if possible. You can save money and keep the system honest.