Last year I paid $4420 in county taxes for my house, this year the bill came out to $5879 + $1400 in supplemental bill for an addition we did 2 years ago (legally). I think that is way more than anybody is paying in this street. Can I fight it, and where do I start??.
2007-11-04 05:08:21 · 13 answers · asked by chowika 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I don't know if you can fight it or not..sorry I can't help. But could you please tell me where you live so that I do not ever make the mistake of moving there? That is outrageous.
2007-11-04 05:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by carmeliasue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you can fight it. It is called a tax abatement and you start to fight it by challenging the tax assessors assessment of your property. A real estate attorney could help you, or if you want to do it yourself research tax abatements, and contact town/city hall. There are deadlines for each year for you to appeal and you need back it with up proof like other houses in your neighberhood similar to yours being taxed less, or maybe the tax assessor has wrong details like square footage is larger than it actually is at your home, etc. Some cities have tax info on-line so you can find out from home what neighbors are paying, or you may have to go down to the city/town hall and do some research. Most people can shave some money off there tax bill if they put in the effort.
2007-11-04 05:21:19 · answer #2 · answered by stephen t 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can start by looking up the tax records of your neighbors, as this is public information. Chances are very slim that you are paying more than they are.
Taxes are done on a general area assessment, and then slightly tweeked for each individual property and based on a rate for each $100 of value. It is very, very difficult to get them lowered.
People will tell you to get an appraisal done...however, tax assessments and market value are NOT the same thing.
Keep in mind that even though the PROPERTY value may go down, the reason your taxes don't, is because the COSTS to run your city/county/state generally increase and not decrease...that is why people usually never see a decrease in their property taxes.
If they lowered the assessment, they will just raise the rate...you see how the cycle works?
You can use this free website that alot of mortgage companies use to look up information on properties:
www.netronline.com
2007-11-04 05:45:20 · answer #3 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The housing market is down so in many many parts of the counrty, so homes are not worth as much now as they were even a few months ago, so you may be getting taxed on a value higher than your house is now worthy. So, if the market value of housing has gone down in your neighborhood, and you can find records of this, you can go to the tax assessors office and find out how to request a change in your house's assessed value.
2007-11-04 05:30:55 · answer #4 · answered by Piggiepants 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the polls in November but don't have high expectations. Think your being charged more - taxes are public record. Should have checked the tax codes while you were getting the building permit . Suck it up and hope the addition gives you adequite return when you sell, but I doubt it. Google tax shelters and talk to a tax advisor now to cut your losses. My tax advisor turned out to be better than sex and gets a christmas card every year.
2007-11-04 05:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can appeal your tax assessment if it's higher than comparable properties in the same taxing district. Your local tax assessor's office should be able to provide you with info on what you need to do to appeal. You'll have to find the "comparable properties" yourself though.
2007-11-04 05:37:44 · answer #6 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There most likely is an appeals board. You can get it lowered if the market value is less than the assessed value. You'll have to get an appraisal
If you are in California, it's prop 13 and it doesn't matter what your neighbors pay
2007-11-04 05:12:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. I would gather information about what taxes your neighbors are paying (available on the internet), and go your tax assessor's office. You cannot fight it if you have already paid it, though. Fight it as soon as possible. Good luck!
2007-11-04 05:11:36 · answer #8 · answered by Kate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you'd probably go to where ever they keep the tax records. It would be the county seat , in this area... and ascertain what the taxes are for your area , and your neighbors. With similar homes or assessments. If it is in line with theirs , there probably isn't much you can do.
2007-11-04 05:15:58 · answer #9 · answered by fuzzykitty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, There's an appeals process, but this is all based on the property valuation. Also, keep in mind there are deadlines to file a protest.
2007-11-04 05:13:21 · answer #10 · answered by Itsok 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to check your local laws.
MOST times, you CAN challenge the amount by proving it was improperly assessed or over-assessed.
In some cases you have a time limit on the challenge.
2007-11-04 05:16:55 · answer #11 · answered by f100_supersabre 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋