An 89-year-old, blind widow could lose her Marissa farm because she never received notice that she owed $38.08 in property taxes from 2003.
On Thursday, a lawsuit was filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court on behalf of Virginia A. Juenger after a tax buyer, Prairie State Properties LLC of Belleville, purchased her delinquent tax from 2003...
What do you have to say? Read this news at
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/152746.html
2007-10-21 23:58:17 · 5 answers · asked by MukatA 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
I have to say that her age and blindness don't really matter - if you owe taxes, you owe taxes. If she is unable to care for her own financial matters, then she needs to have someone else who will notice tht she paid 2002 and 2004 but not 2003. Don't take that to mean that I don't feel bad for her - I do, and I'm sure there are hundreds of people just like me who would pay the tax bill. But the problem is, she didn't just get one bill. She got lots of bills. Also, when property is put up for sale like this, the public has to be notified. She had ample opportunity to pay the bill. If she didn't, then she probably has a case to try and keep her property. Otherwise, it's a sad story, but if the law has been followed, then there's nothing to be done. If I ran across the ability to buy a farm for $38 or so, you can bet I'd write that check. (They don't tell you you're taking a farm from an 89 year old blind woman. They just tell you that someone refused to pay their tax, and that you have an opportunity.)
Also, in this age of Political Correctness, should we even take into consideration her age and handicap? I mean, aren't we supposed to treat everyone equally? What if this were a 38 year old, physically able white man? Doesn't quite tug your heartstrings the same way, does it. But when we want tax law applied, we say we want it applied to everyone the same. Do we or don't we???
2007-10-22 00:34:08 · answer #1 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd venture that the courts will intervene and save this woman's property. If that fails, bad PR will probably drive Prairie State Properties to back off and return the property to Ms. Juenger.
2007-10-22 01:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The taxpayer is responsible for ensuring that the tax bills are paid even if a bill is not received. That's the law in virtually ALL states. Someone (family, friends, etc.) should have been watching out for this woman's interests if she was incapable of handling her affairs herself.
Don't blame the tax authorities for the failure of the taxpayer or her family to take care of this!
2007-10-22 01:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
This is just a classic example of corporate greed taking advantage of the people as always.
2007-10-22 04:26:56 · answer #4 · answered by Ty 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Jesus, someone step up and pay the woman's $38.08 and fry the corporate thieves.
2007-10-22 00:02:46 · answer #5 · answered by newtooocala 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋