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Cherry Blossom
USA
18932 Posts
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 Posted - 09/24/2006 : 3:51:59 PM
I did not say I had the funds to pay this, I said when property values increase it is to be expected, so I was prepared for this.I personally feel when you purchase a home your taxes should be locked in and my feeling on that is exactly what you stated, for those on a fixed income. That does not mean just disabled, everyone has a budget, as far as I know employment rates are the same as last year. My salary is pretty meager here in the south. I love it here, but I did enjoy the idea of my taxes being what they were when I purchased my home one year ago, however in one year that changed. I totally understand. Cherry Blossom
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coosa creek
USA
39313 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:04:14 PM
I can understand the taxes going up each year, but to double in JUST ONE year?? One of the reasons we moved here was for the low taxes! I had an offer on my house and I was going to take it, but they only gave me 30 days to move. The offer was lower than my appraisal by the tax office.
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ShadowMan
USA
4158 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:23:39 PM
The way I understand it is like this: Property values have been steadily rising over the years. Every so often, the County has to do a full tax assessment on all the property within their jurisdiction rather than just waiting until the property sells to update the assessed value. If the county fails to do this, the State starts doling out fines because the state knows they should be getting more money by way of taxes since the value is steadily increasing. So a full assessment is done and catches the tax digest property values up with what the going market rates are.If it had been done each year, or perhaps a better formula used to calculate the estimated increase in value, then there would have been steady yet gradual increase in property values and, by association, the taxes that go along with that. But instead, like snapping a rubber band, we got caught up in a big surge - causing the associated tax to jump likewise. Perhaps this or prior Commissioners put this needed re-assessment off until the County started getting fines because it's easier to face a lot of dissension all at one time rather than a steady stream of dissension over the course of the years. Like the old saw goes, the only things certain are death and taxes. We were able to get away with lower taxes than we should have because the tax digests were artificially low. Now it's time to pay the piper. Shadow This is my kirttimukha |
GrayEagle
USA
9966 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:31:03 PM
Or better, "the taxman"GrayEagle
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coosa creek
USA
39313 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:32:52 PM
Iknow you are right shadow, I read that Union county was being fined. I guess it would not upset me so much, but I over paid my taxes for 8 years and I was certainly not given a refund.
they measusred my house. It was 2000 sq ft. on the bottom floor, so they just assumed it was 2000 sq. ft. on the top floor. I have 22 foot ceilings in my living room, dining room, foyer, and bathroom, so there are no rooms above them.
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coosa creek
USA
39313 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:33:38 PM
That being said, I will just pay the piper!
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Cherry Blossom
USA
18932 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 5:46:53 PM
I don't know the rules around here, but in Washington state they have someone go to your home every 4 years and check out your improvements to tax you on.Coosa if it makes you feel better we were taxed for 4 years for a garage in Washington, however we just had a slab for a garage that never was completed, because the previous owner went bankrupt. Yes we did not get a refund either. Hubby corrected that, but that was 4 years later. Moral of the story? Ask what you are being taxed on and why. Cherry Blossom
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ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/24/2006 : 6:45:35 PM
Does anyone know what the fine was for and the amount?
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coosa creek
USA
39313 Posts
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Posted - 09/25/2006 : 4:09:29 PM
I think the fine was about $40,000!
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ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/25/2006 : 6:50:51 PM
Thanks coosa,do you know why we were fined so much?
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MiddleAgeCrazy
USA
1435 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 06:22:53 AM
Well, I'm in the process of refinacing my mortgage and its ineresting to see what the appraiser says and the tax man says. I think I shall appeal as well. What I paid 7 years ago, what the appraiser said two weeks ago and what the assessment says don't sound like we are talking about the same piece of property.Edited by - MiddleAgeCrazy on 09/26/2006 06:23:24 AM |
ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 06:44:01 AM
This is what I hear through out county.Last night heard three men talking about this and the conversation sounded as if a new news paper is coming.One man said this topic as well as the eminant domain issues will be covered.I would have butted in but was intimidated by the looks of one of them;one was tall dark and handsome;one skinny as a snake;the other looked mean and ugly.
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puddin pop
USA
4628 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 07:48:48 AM
My granny's assessment was doubled and she has 96 acres. We still have not got ours yet.Why can't I get a little ahead instead of a bigger behind? |
Mr Bill
USA
1390 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 09:20:02 AM
All, I just got done visiting the Tax Assessor's office and the Commissioner's office and I'm happy to report that things aren't as bleak as they seem.
The tax estimator is based on last year's millage rate. This year's millage rate hasn't been set yet, but given the increase in property assessments it seems almost certain that the millage rate will be reduced.
The timetable was described as:
1. Tax assessment notices mailed out.
2. Property owners given period of time (45 days) to appeal.
3. Commissioner and Finance Director finalize 2007 budget.
4. Budget amount divided by the new overall county property values to determine new millage rate.
5. Tax bills calculated for each property owner and sent out.
6. Property owner has 60 days to pay tax bill.Key points:
* Your tax bill may not go up even though your property assessment is much higher now.
* Millage rate should be set next month.
* You will still have time to budget and pay your tax bill even if it comes out closer towards the end of the year.
* The tax estimator is going to give you misleading results until the millage rate has been set and the calculator adjusted. Hope this helps calm some of the anxiety we've all been feeling. Edited by - Mr Bill on 09/26/2006 09:21:55 AM |
Cherry Blossom
USA
18932 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 09:30:30 AM
Is it just common sense to appeal? How does that process work? Do they just send someone out to reevaluate it? Or do you have to prove something?Cherry Blossom
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ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 10:25:02 AM
Cherry;some have stopped by mrs. phillips office and appraisals were corrected on spot in past times.
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mad4martinis
USA
13730 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 12:45:14 PM
It used to be hogwash the way they did the appeal. The appraiser would come out & act on behalf of the board of accessors (who's the one who is supposed to handle the appeal). That was wrong & I don't think they are doing that anymore. (hope not) Then, if that doesn't go your way, you can appeal to the State.*I create my experiences by what I choose to think and what I feel and believe* |
ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 7:00:21 PM
Kudos for Mr.Bill;thanks for your time and input.Iknow comm. Paris and Mrs. Phillips are looking out for Union co;;but can we trust Bart Graham and the people in Alt.
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Hotdawg
USA
2357 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 7:07:44 PM
Subject: Tax Refund Letter The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes
309 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC , 20510 Dear Senator Sarbanes,
As a native American and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Immigration and Naturalization Service in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you. My reasons for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stem from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, what I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years.
I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out. Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of the last five years taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively?This would yield an excellent return for me because I paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005 and I estimated a gross savings approximating $72,000. After the fine this would yield me a net savings of $70,000.
In addition, I would reap the other benefits of being an illegal alien such as free healthcare, avoidance of paying Social Security taxes, buying automobile & Cycle insurance, serving on jury panels, etc.
If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.
Thank you for your assistance.
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avalanche
USA
251 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 8:06:20 PM
Received my assessment for my lot, but I haven't received the assessment for the cabin, yet. I had better not hold my breath! Yikes!
Avalanche
quote:
Received our 2006 assessment on our property. It nearly doubled from last year. I intend to appeal and appeal all the way to the highest courts. I understand that a surprising number of citizens of Union County will do likewise. If this measure fails, then an objection to the tax digest is in order...Enough is Enough!!!
Avalanche |
avalanche
USA
251 Posts
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Posted - 09/26/2006 : 8:09:25 PM
Really, Shadow is right on this. I know this may come as a shock to some of us, but haven't Blairsville taxes been lower than usual?
Our property taxes double in Charleston, SC, this past year. I worry about my mother-in-law who is on a fixed income. How can people on a fixed income prepare for this?
Any advice?
Avalanchequote:
Received my assessment for my lot, but I haven't received the assessment for the cabin, yet. I had better not hold my breath! Yikes!
Avalanche
quote:
Received our 2006 assessment on our property. It nearly doubled from last year. I intend to appeal and appeal all the way to the highest courts. I understand that a surprising number of citizens of Union County will do likewise. If this measure fails, then an objection to the tax digest is in order...Enough is Enough!!!
Avalanche
Avalanche |
ThePin
USA
28 Posts
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Posted - 09/27/2006 : 09:28:07 AM
Get the public involved and just say no and appeal all the way up and do not accept this form of taxation;it is not fair.
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coosa creek
USA
39313 Posts
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Posted - 09/27/2006 : 6:33:41 PM
I talked to a lady from Florida and she was paying $1100 a month in property taxes on her home.
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cajun
6 Posts
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Posted - 10/10/2006 : 5:19:59 PM
did you know that you can research the assessed values of all union county properties online?use the "search records" feature of this link... http://www.qpublic.net/ga/union/ it works for most georgia counties. I'm in Fannin, but I tried it for Union and discovered that it works. It probably doesn't have this years assessments in there yet, but you can safely assume that no properties went down in value ;-). Anyway, by researching your neighbors and similar properties, you know if you have a case for an appeal. I know Fannins assesments are all over the map in my neighborhood, and they really stuck it to any property that changed hands in 05.
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Eddie
49 Posts
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Posted - 10/11/2006 : 3:10:03 PM
Re: Coosa Creeks' post on 9-23-06 48-5-380 Official Code Of Georgia (a) Each county and municipality may refund to taxpayers any and all taxes and license fees which are determined to have been erroneously or illegally assessed and collected from the taxpayers under the laws of this state or under the resolutions or ordinances of any county or municipality or which are determined to have been voluntarily or involuntarily overpaid by the taxpayers.
(b) In any case in which it is determined that an erroneous or illegal collection of any tax or license fee has been made by a county or municipality or that a taxpayer has voluntarily or involuntarily overpaid any tax or license fee, the taxpayer from whom the tax or license fee was collected may file a claim for a refund with the governing authority of the county or municipality at any time within one year or, in the case of taxes, three years after the date of the payment of the tax or license fee to the county or municipality. The claim for refund shall be in writing and shall be in the form and shall contain the information required by the appropriate governing authority. The claim shall include a summary statement of the grounds upon which the taxpayer relies. In the event the taxpayer desires a conference or hearing before the governing authority in connection with any claim for a refund, he shall so specify in writing in the claim. If the claim conforms to the requirements of this Code section, the governing authority shall grant a conference at a time specified by the governing authority. The governing authority shall consider information contained in the taxpayer´s claim for a refund and such other information as is available. The governing authority shall approve or disapprove the taxpayer´s claim and shall notify the taxpayer of its action. In the event any claim for refund is approved, the governing authority shall proceed under subsection (a) of this Code section to give effect to the terms of that subsection. No refund provided for in this Code section shall be assignable.
(c) Any taxpayer whose claim for refund is denied by the governing authority of the county or municipality or whose claim is not denied or approved by the governing authority within one year from the date of filing the claim shall have the right to bring an action for a refund in the superior court of the county in which the claim arises. No action or proceeding for the recovery of a refund shall be commenced before the expiration of one year from the date of filing the claim for refund unless the governing authority of the county or municipality renders a decision on the claim within the one-year period. No action or proceeding for the recovery of a refund shall be commenced after the expiration of one year from the date the claim is denied. The one-year period prescribed in this subsection for filing an action for a refund shall be extended for such period as may be agreed upon in writing between the taxpayer and the governing authority of the county or municipality during the one-year period or any extension of the one-year period.
(d) Any refunds approved or allowed under this Code section shall be paid from funds of the county or municipality to which the taxes or license fees were originally paid. Refunds shall be paid within 60 days of the approval of the taxpayer´s claim or within 60 days of the entry of a final decision in any action for a refund.
(e) The governing authority of any county, by resolution, and the governing authority of any municipality, by ordinance, may adopt rules and regulations governing the administration of this Code section and may delegate the administration of this Code section, including the approval or disapproval of claims where the reason for the claim is based on an obvious clerical error, to an appropriate department in local government. In disputed cases where there is no obvious error, the approval or disapproval of claims may not be delegated by the governing authority.
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2006 Tax Assessment
