onefarmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- 6735 S Lowell Rd, St Johns, Mi 48879
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- Thread starter onefarmer
- Start date
Donald Lehman
Well-known Member
I'd say that's funny as all get out, but I live in NY, so I'll just smile and nod my head sadly.
Brent Zappe
Member
I use to own a house in a big city. the taxes WOW. I sold it this last year and moved out there going to tear it down and build apartments there. I moved to wide open places my taxes are 1,000.00 cheaper a year WOW.
I wish I could find a way to sue the members of the Board of Review here in Michigan. I used to be on the review board in New York and know what we were supposed to be doing. I find - at least places I have had issues - that board members just want to support their assessor and not review anything. This year - I was actually told exactly that by the chairman (chair-lady actually) at the Board of Review for Bismarck Township in northern Michigan. Note I fought this same fight 6 years ago. Board did nothing and I had to ask for a tax hearing. I also had to pay for a certified appraisal. In the end, I won but was out around $600 and a lot of time. Now - 6 years later - same assessor and same property - he jacked it right up again. Michigan law says I have to go to the BOR first. So I did. Same people as last time. Head lady there had the nerve to tell me that they are just a stepping stone to tax court and it is not their job to question values made by the assessor. I was kind of in shock. So we went to court again and I won again. The judge from Lansing said he is going to take action against the township but I doubt anything will change. I called the town clerk to complain and she told me to call the town supervisor. She then warned me that he is the grandfather of the assessor.
On a brighter note - we had our assessment put at twice what we paid for 80 acres in the Michigan UP last year. We took it to the Board of Review in Chippewa Township and they actually found in our favor! Then the assessor got angry and quit.
On a brighter note - we had our assessment put at twice what we paid for 80 acres in the Michigan UP last year. We took it to the Board of Review in Chippewa Township and they actually found in our favor! Then the assessor got angry and quit.
Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
I just got done with a debate at the township over the farm house we bought to add onto the rest of the place. Couldn't stand the parade of young couples with big dreams of "buying some of that farm" around the place, so I just bought "the place". About 1600 sf on 2 acres. The summer taxes were $2700 alone. They just sent me a $1400 refund on that. It is now classed with the rest of the farm.
I've been through two assessors now. Board members average about two years. It's just about impossible to find somebody to sit on it who's not affiliated with the township somehow. One of the last ones was on the planning commission. When a trustee quit,he was appointed to that job and had to quit BOR. The supervisor replaced him with the guy who enforces building codes. Nobody else would do it. Used to be we could get members who had no connection except that like me,they live here.
I've had three different women serve,who had their husband come in and protest their own,thinking they could get it done if they were on the board. Two got real ugly,one even took it to the Tribunal. She was deputy drain commissioner and got in to the county computers,printed off a card before the program was updated so it was lower. She took that one to the Tribunal and won with it. They turned right around and sold the house for half again more than it was assessed for.
Believe me,it ticks me off too that we can't get people who don't have an axe to grind or a dog in the fight,but nobody will get involved anymore,simple as that.
I've had three different women serve,who had their husband come in and protest their own,thinking they could get it done if they were on the board. Two got real ugly,one even took it to the Tribunal. She was deputy drain commissioner and got in to the county computers,printed off a card before the program was updated so it was lower. She took that one to the Tribunal and won with it. They turned right around and sold the house for half again more than it was assessed for.
Believe me,it ticks me off too that we can't get people who don't have an axe to grind or a dog in the fight,but nobody will get involved anymore,simple as that.
Goose
Well-known Member
I'm on our county Board of Equalization. It goes both ways. If someone presents a legitimate claim to the County Assessor, taxes can be lowered.
We meet every other week, and at this last week's meeting we had six cases to deal with. In three of the cases, taxes were lowered.
The interesting cases are when someone complains that their taxes are too high, the Assessor reviews the case, and finds that the taxes should actually be higher.
And remember, by law the County Assessor is required to submit a monthly report to the State Auditor's office. So the local assessors have someone to answer to, also.
We meet every other week, and at this last week's meeting we had six cases to deal with. In three of the cases, taxes were lowered.
The interesting cases are when someone complains that their taxes are too high, the Assessor reviews the case, and finds that the taxes should actually be higher.
And remember, by law the County Assessor is required to submit a monthly report to the State Auditor's office. So the local assessors have someone to answer to, also.
Bob Bancroft
Well-known Member
- Location
- Aurora NY
Derelict house next door- we own all the way around the 1.5 acres, including the barns behind it. The guy just wanted to walk away from it, and was offered $45000 by one of the local slum lords. So we paid $50000 cash deal to get it. We tried to tell him considering- cash- no waiting for anything- no inspections- no survey- no anything- that our $45000 would net him a lot more than the other guys. Couldn't make him understand that.
Assessor had the value up around $92000. Neighbor was still getting a 50% tax break because of his wife's illness. She died 7 years ago! We got the assessment back down to $45000, and merged it into the farm. The assessment review board was not happy with the assessor. So then the blasted assessor sent us a bill for extra $700 some dollars we saved before they got the discount straightened out! I argued that the prior owner got an undeserved break for 7 years, why don't I get it just once? No go.
Assessor had the value up around $92000. Neighbor was still getting a 50% tax break because of his wife's illness. She died 7 years ago! We got the assessment back down to $45000, and merged it into the farm. The assessment review board was not happy with the assessor. So then the blasted assessor sent us a bill for extra $700 some dollars we saved before they got the discount straightened out! I argued that the prior owner got an undeserved break for 7 years, why don't I get it just once? No go.
Yes they do. Our assessor was a class 4,that's as high as you can go. He last audit,she got an A+. I don't know if she thought she had the township over a barrel by quitting now or what. She said she'd come back for a 30% raise. The supervisor got right on the stick and got somebody to step right in for three months and get the roll done. The job has been posted and this guy said he'd put in his resume for the job permanently. We'll see how he works out.
I'd say on average,we lower 30-40% of those that are protested. Each parcel is different,and each person's reason to protest is different. You have to look at each one individually. We've even had some come in who wanted theirs raised. They were trying to sell the place and wanted a higher value on it.
I'd say on average,we lower 30-40% of those that are protested. Each parcel is different,and each person's reason to protest is different. You have to look at each one individually. We've even had some come in who wanted theirs raised. They were trying to sell the place and wanted a higher value on it.
Taxes are why you can t find a place to rent around here. The small towns have raised there taxes so high, that it is cheaper to tear one down than try to fix them up,and then they outlaw mobile homes, so they just have empty lots that are taxed for $2000.00 instead of $40000.00
Goose
Well-known Member
Our Assessor is an elected official, so there's no bargaining about her job or pay, but we still have to keep an eye on her. She's too inclined to try to build her own empire.
We had to come down on her a couple of weeks ago. She took it upon herself to advertise a new position in her department without going through proper channels. We Commissioners only found out about it when we saw the ad in the paper. Our local written policy is that all newly created jobs need to be approved by the Commissioners, then be turned over to Human Resources to solicit applicants and to do initial interviews. The department head then makes the final decision on the hire. We had no choice but to send her a letter of reprimand signed by all five Commissioners. We'll see if it has an effect.
We had to come down on her a couple of weeks ago. She took it upon herself to advertise a new position in her department without going through proper channels. We Commissioners only found out about it when we saw the ad in the paper. Our local written policy is that all newly created jobs need to be approved by the Commissioners, then be turned over to Human Resources to solicit applicants and to do initial interviews. The department head then makes the final decision on the hire. We had no choice but to send her a letter of reprimand signed by all five Commissioners. We'll see if it has an effect.
muleboss
Member
- Location
- Burlington, Kansas
Do you really as commissioners have authority over other elected officials. Probably not. Your job is to control her budget, not her.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
Indiana property taxes tiers. You are allowed one homestead at 1%. Not sure how many acres that covers or buildings. If you own more than one property, 2%. So rental properties, farm land are 2%. If you own a commercial property, 3%. The percents are based upon appraised value, which I feel in my cases is very close to actual market value. By son just bought a new house in a new subdivision. He will pay 1% based on what he paid for house. No tax review board will reverse that decision. So when you buy a new house, you will know exactly what you pay in taxes.
Insurance companies want more than tax appraisals, and they tell me if I don't go along with what they think I stand to have a problem collecting. Forget exactly why, but I do what insurance company says. They have never had a issue paying off, more of an issue getting the coverage I want and getting insurance co to cover commercial property.
Insurance companies want more than tax appraisals, and they tell me if I don't go along with what they think I stand to have a problem collecting. Forget exactly why, but I do what insurance company says. They have never had a issue paying off, more of an issue getting the coverage I want and getting insurance co to cover commercial property.
Rollie NE PA
Well-known Member
The county I live has a appointed assessor. For the most part his office only assess new buildings or additions to buildings or property.
In 2008 the county did a county wide reassessment and hired a company out of the area to do it. The company really screwed it up big time. They hired people to go out to check each property. Some of the people were caught stealing things from peoples property. I knew one assessor who was burned out on drugs and overdosed while working.
I was looking thru some county assessment records and noticed that the church I attend was not listed on any county tax records, however our parking area across the road was.
I went to the county three times to get it corrected and after a year it is still not listed.
In 2008 the county did a county wide reassessment and hired a company out of the area to do it. The company really screwed it up big time. They hired people to go out to check each property. Some of the people were caught stealing things from peoples property. I knew one assessor who was burned out on drugs and overdosed while working.
I was looking thru some county assessment records and noticed that the church I attend was not listed on any county tax records, however our parking area across the road was.
I went to the county three times to get it corrected and after a year it is still not listed.
Part Time Pete
Well-known Member
- Location
- Leatherstocking Region NY
I've posted it before, but 5 years ago, the two members of our town board that were of the lower tax inclination (R) had to leave the board due to health reasons. The town supervisor, a member of the higher the taxes the better inclination (D), got to appoint two of his friends to fill the vacant positions. The first thing they did was to hire a consultant to re-assess all of the town properties, resulting in a 15% property tax increase in one year. My little 35 spread on a dirt road costs me $500/month in property taxes. Couple that with $860/month as a result of my favorite higher the taxes the better guy's health plan, it's gotten a little expensive.
As Margaret Thatcher said "socialism is great, until you run out of other peoples money to give away"
As Margaret Thatcher said "socialism is great, until you run out of other peoples money to give away"
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