As the fourth quarter begins, tax departments face compounding variables: compressed timeframes, resource constraints, and rapidly shifting state-by-state regulations. In this setting, any weakness in tax provider performance becomes amplified. Disjointed communication, inconsistent data review, or jurisdictional overs
Explore our Personal Property Tax Savings Guide for proven strategies to reduce liabilities, improve compliance, and uncover hidden savings opportunities.
Is Your PROPERTY Tax Provider Just Checking Boxes? 5 SIGNS IT'S TIME TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Many companies stick with their property tax compliance provider out of habit—or the fear that switching will be more painful than staying put. But when that provider is underperforming, the hidden costs can be significant: missed deadlines , overpayments , audit exposure , and unnecessary internal workload . At Baden, we’ve reviewed hundreds of compliance setups. What we consistently find is this: by the time companies call us, they’ve already been absorbing risk and leaving savings on the table for years. Here are five red flags that it might be time to re-evaluate your current provider—before problems get worse. 1. Deadlines Keep Slipping (AND YOU'RE THE ONE LOSING SLEEP) Late or rushed filings shouldn’t be business as usual. If you’re constantly nudging your provider for updates or scrambling to respond to urgent requests, that’s not a partnership—it’s a liability. The Risk : Missed deadlines mean penalties, unnecessary scrutiny, and fire drills that sap your team’s time and confidence. 2. You're Doing More Work Than They Are Outsourcing is supposed to free up your internal resources. But when you’re chasing down tax detail, hunting for data, or second-guessing reports, the burden shifts back to you. The Risk : Your team loses hours (and morale) while still being exposed to compliance errors they didn't create. 3. YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO SENIOR EXPERTISE If you haven’t heard from a senior advisor since the sales pitch, you’re likely missing critical insights. Complex operations demand more than junior-level processing—they require experienced professionals who can anticipate challenges, explain nuances, and optimize your tax position. The Risk : Strategic savings opportunities go unnoticed, and you're left reacting instead of planning. 4. COMMUNICATION IS SLOW, VAGUE OR GENERIC Waiting days for vague answers—or feeling like you're working through a help desk—doesn’t cut it. Your tax partner should speak your language, understand your operations, and communicate proactively. The Risk: Poor communication delays decisions, introduces errors, and erodes trust in the entire compliance process. 5. THERE'S NO CLEAR ROI When was the last time your provider showed you a year-over-year savings trend? Have they ever brought new ideas or flagged overpayments before you did? The Risk: Without transparency and initiative, you could be overpaying every year—and never know it. NEED A SECOND SET OF EYES? We’re offering a free, no-obligation review of your current compliance setup. Baden’s team will: Evaluate your current process for risk, redundancy, and reporting gaps Identify areas where savings may be slipping through the cracks Share a candid, senior-level perspective on how your compliance setup compares to industry best practices This isn’t a sales pitch—it’s a strategic gut-check from a team that works on your side of the table. Let’s talk . Schedule Your Free Compliance Review