Case Study: Maximizing & Maintaining Tax Benefits for a Speculative Development

The Challenge

In 2021, KSM Location Advisors (KSMLA) successfully secured a real property tax abatement for a speculative development in Indiana. However, by 2023, a new, out-of-state owner acquired the building but failed to file the required annual paperwork, leading to the loss of nearly $900,000 in tax benefits in the first year alone.

Our Solution

Upon identifying the issue, the KSMLA team immediately engaged with the new ownership. Leveraging our deep knowledge of property tax regulations and strong relationships with local officials, we:

• Secured a waiver of non-compliance
• Successfully reinstated the abatement, resorting the full benefit to the new owner

Without our intervention, this significant advantage would have been permanently lost.

Going Beyond: Identifying Hidden Savings

A few months later, our team uncovered another issue: the local jurisdiction had unintentionally structured the abatement in a way that capped its benefit, leaving money on the table.

Drawing on our expertise in property assessments, we:

• Investigated the valuation process
• Worked directly with the County Assessor to correct the assessment
• Strategically lowered the assessed value to align with the original abatement cap

This ensured our client received the full benefit initially approved by the city.

Why KSMLA?

At KSM Location Advisors, we don’t just navigate tax complexities – we solve them. With deep expertise in abatements, appeals, and TIF studies, our team delivers results that others simply can’t match.

Leading the charge is our Property Tax Practice Director, Chad Miller, whose extensive background in property assessment and tax strategy empowers us to uncover opportunities that go unnoticed – maximizing savings and delivery real financial impact.