The Concept of Ownership

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Patrick

File an appeal.

...and, I second that recommendation! Home values have been FALLING every year since 2008, so *HOW* can yours suddenly DOUBLE in a single year?

[slowmover]

Partisan warfare is essentially organized looting. Now, would you rather go about your day peaceably, or be continually weighed by concerns beyond your ken best handled by the local, state and national constabulary?

One might read up on those "homeowners" who paid no tax in 1840's Texas, with more than a bit of concern for Mexican, Comanche and worse shadows across the pasture. Societies can rapidly devolve.

As irritating as property tax may be, it is local. The benefits are clear. Instead, think about the basis of civilization being agriculture, that the food is kept under lock & key. By contrast, the hunter-gatherer of 99% of mans history never goes hungry . . . ditch the house, Frank.

.

[Frank Lee]

Selling has moved way up on the list...

[brucey]

Originally Posted by Patrick

File an appeal.

And fight them bureaucrats on their own field?

Yeah, that will go over well.

For the record, I lost that case but the judge agreed to keep it off my record if I paid in cash.

[gone-ot]

...a trailer, parked on rented lot, can look mightly tempting!

...but, be sure to pull the licence plates off the trailer once it's parked!

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by brucey

And fight them bureaucrats on their own field?

Yeah, that will go over well.

For the record, I lost that case but the judge agreed to keep it off my record if I paid in cash.

Yes, people frequently win property tax appeals.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by brucey

And fight them bureaucrats on their own field?

Yeah, that will go over well.

For the record, I lost that case but the judge agreed to keep it off my record if I paid in cash.

You are equating your defense in court against a traffic violation with contesting a property value assessment. They are not the same thing. Fines stemming from breaking the law are avoidable. Taxes are not.

But you have nothing to lose by challenging a property tax assessment. The basis for any assessment is subjective and has room for adjustment. The worst that will happen is that the assessment will stand; but it will never be reduced unless it is challenged.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by brucey

Wanna go grab a beer man? It usually cheers me right up.

Good idea!

[brucey]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

You are equating your defense in court against a traffic violation with contesting a property value assessment. They are not the same thing. Fines stemming from breaking the law are avoidable. Taxes are not.

But you have nothing to lose by challenging a property tax assessment. The basis for any assessment is subjective and has room for adjustment. The worst that will happen is that the assessment will stand; but it will never be reduced unless it is challenged.

In that case, looks like I got something to do the day before thanksgiving!

[MetroMPG]

For what it's worth, brucey, I'd look into challenging it. I've challenged two property value assessments and both of my requests for reconsideration were successful (to different degrees).

In Ontario, assessments are objective: they are supposed to reflect market value, period. They compare to recent sale prices of similar properties in the area, and also assign dollar values to a property's various "features". So, here at least, if you can support your objection with examples & figures of why the assessment is out of whack, it might be worth the time.