My aunt lives in a county in the state of North Carolina where everyone names are published in the local newspaper if their property taxes aren't paid by a certain date in March. Tax Office use to do this in April. Many of these people are not behind on their property payments, but just havent paid them yet. Isn't this method of public humiliation breaking these citizens privacy rights I dont know of any other county that use such method to try and make people paid their taxes in a timely matter. Yes, they do add late fees as well, she says. That is understandable. But to send an exposed card in the US mail stating that if property owner(s) doesnt pay by such and such date their names and what taxes they own will be published in the local newspaper seems illegal. Is this county breaking the law? What are the citizens rights when it comes to the law of property tax protection?
*Please note that this question is NOT about foreclosure on owner's property because of non-paying taxes.
2007-02-16 07:34:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
A governmental body like a city or county or school district exists to provide services to the public. The public pays for the service with taxes. Delinquent taxes effect the borrowing ability and financial capabilities of the public at large. The government has to raise the taxes of others to cover deficiencies caused by delinquencies. The other tax payers are creditors to the delinquent tax payer. Creditors have the right to know about who owes them money. NO, it is not an invasion of privacy. It is an attempt to show who is unwilling or unable to pay his or her fair share of the cost of government.
2007-02-16 07:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by Buffy Summers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately it is a law that has been passed and regulated by our government. It is a method by which they inform the property owner who might have moved and neglected to inform them of the change of address but still own the said property. Hopefully, they will read the newspaper and realize their mistake i not paying the property taxes and will be able to save their property from going into auction over unpaid property taxes.
2007-02-16 07:39:22 · answer #2 · answered by Akbar B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well; as a title underwriter, I can tell you that your tax status is a public record and anyone can see if you are delinquent or not; and different government bodies treat delinquent taxes differently based on the laws of their jurisdiction. You could take your complaint to the next county supervisor's meeting and ask that it be looked into and revised; that is your right.
2007-02-16 07:39:31 · answer #3 · answered by wizjp 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Given that property records and taxes are public info, I don't see how it is an invasion of privacy.
That said, it certainly seem to be an unethical practice.
2007-02-16 07:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by dapixelator 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is a matter of public record, they publish them so that if someone else wanted to buy up the back taxes they can, yes it is humiliating and I am not so sure that that is not one of the reasons that the county does it..they do it here in my county in Illinois too.
2007-02-16 07:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by dances with cats 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is simply public information.
2007-02-16 07:39:29 · answer #6 · answered by ibeboatin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's wrong to put their names in the newspaper.
2007-02-16 07:40:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋