Here is a helpful link:

http://www.tiphero.com/tips_292_how-to-get-your-property-taxes-reduced.html

From what I understand, the county bases its tax appraisal on a 3 year period of comp homes being sold in the area or something like that. So the value of the house going down int he past couple of years won't being a effect until the next few tax times.

 

This varies from State to State but typically this year's taxes are based on last year's estimated value.

Value is only one part of the equation. The other part is the levy or what percentage of value is actually collected as taxes. Taxing districts submit their budgets annually and the total budget is reduced to a percentage (the levy) to be multiplied against the value to equal the total budget. So, in short, it's conceivable (depending again on State law) that your taxes could even go up when the values go down.

 

Well.... I don't live in Florida... but I live in a small ONE story home, with a tiny tiny lot... (takes 30 minutes to mow with a Walk Mower - trimming INCLUDED) and this year my Property Tax hit me with $2100 !!!! I actually have one of the SMALLEST LOTS in this Smalltown USA!!!! My Property is SANDWICHED between 2 other 2 story homes.

 

This tax thing has me worried sick - I had a close call recently with the IRS, but fortunately, found a "tax diva" who was able to prove that not only did I NOT owe, but that I was due a refund. Thank God for that.

 

Two points: first, I've found that FL has one of the highest RE tax rates in the country. My condo here gets taxed at about 5 times the rate of my house in Louisiana even though they have the same value.

Second, it seems that in FL the county governments don't understand 'living within means.' If we have a cut in our income we have to reduce our spending; if the counties are experiencing reduced income they tax US more. We'd be better off if they were required to cut budgets to bring them into balance rather than being allowed to raise taxes.

 

I'm originaly from the midwest and the Taxes were much lower. Even those in the midwest were starting to escalate as I was leaving the area.... Seems like many things these days are going up when they should be going down and vice-versa :upsidedown:

 

Careful what you wish for. Look at your currently appraisal well before opting for it.

Sometimes they find things not on there.... lot sizes off, house size, a pool, outbuildings, etc......

 

Property taxes are just as bad, if not worse as the income tax
Paying rent to the govt :headshake:
If you miss a few payments, they then confiscate it and sell it.
Bad enough paying $ to the banks for 30 years, but to pay thousands in property tax yearly to the govt for life is insane.

 

Some would even say unconstitutional?

 

Here's what scares the HELL out of me.... Due to my Elderly Mother moving in with me.... I had several 'upgrades' done to the house. I have the HANDICAP shower in the bathroom. Which means... I have a bathtub for soaking AND a Handicap Shower in the SAME damn room!!!! I have A BIDET!!!! This Bidet offers 5 different Heat Settings for the Water. It also offers 5 different Heat Settings for the toilet seat. But more importantly... it OFFERS 5 Different HEAT SETTINGS TO BLOW DRY YOU!!!!

Then you add the wooden wheelchair ramp????... and the list goes on.....

Last summer (my Mothers Lawyer TOLD ME.... DONT LET THE COUNTY IN for a revaluation)

I absolutely LOVE this female Lawyer Gal... SHE'S A GEM!!!!

 

I just paid $317 for property tax and $548 for insurance for my $97k home. Not bad compared to the rest of the country

 

UMMMMM...... EXCUSE ME???? (my jaw is DROPPING)

My Home WAS considered 100,000 PRIOR to this wonderful failure of our Economy. I don't have a CLUE what it's worth NOW... thanks to this wonderful COLLAPSE!!!!

And I'm scared sh!tless about my $2100 PER YEAR PROPERTY TAXES???????????

 

Here in Texas acessed valued from the county appraisal district are not the same as market value, But the appraisal dristict has to be within 10% of Market value. The appraisal district does what is called mass appraising (viewed from the exterior) do not let them in your home. A market value done by an indenpendent appraiser is what your home should bring on the open market ( being up for sale). If you have an independent appraisal done, carefully compare what the appraisal district has with what the independent appraisaer came up with. As stated above these difference could cost you more in taxes If you home has more heated and cooled area, better quality, lot size could be bigger, more out buildings than what the appraisal district has on their records. This is what we encounter in Texas.

My 3 cents worth. NiteFly22LR

They can reduce the overall value of a home and raise the tax rates to keep the dallars coming in.

 

The home prices in our county and surounding areas have been fairly stable. $2100 a yr is nuts compared to here.

 

Over 6K for postage stamp piece of property and a house the size of a garden shed. My taxes doubled in less than 5 years. I did zero upgrades unless you include a fresh coat of paint. NJ is the worst.

 

I just got my tax bills in the mail today
Property values went down taxes went up WTF, only in Florida

1/3 of my rental remain vacant as does most all of them in this area.

My average tax bill per residential property is just over $2600 year.

My tax bill for the 69 acres in tenn went up from $608 to $626 year.

Never ever let the tax assessor into your house! Let them do it from the street.

 

Raider Bill Values go down and the tax rate goes up thats so the goverment can keep spending more.

 

Your got that right Brother! Our values went to crap but they raised the millage rates. Spend spend spend, They want to put city employees on 9 day furlows but just paid
$22k each for about 25 palm trees.
This areas out of control with the spending and no end in sight.

 

I have mentioned property taxes quite a few times in various forums even in usenet. But most have not been interested. Glad to see a thread that is interested.

I have always thought that it is unconstitutional and even UnAmerican that the govt can take property that might be worth many many thousands of dollars simply for not paying a few hundred dollars worth of taxes.

I will Not lose my property, survival retreat etc. that has taken more than 20 years - my best years - to build, such as Many did lose farms etc. during the Great Depression and even today. Just one more reason to have a Remote retreat with an extremely good and deep underground bunker. Nuff said....

 

Ugh. I paid $10,800 this year for a 1.5 acre lot and 3,000 sq. ft. home. That's just property tax. This is in NH, where we have hardly any other taxes, so it's not bad considering the big picture

 

Blame it all on the do-gooders who push for those little levis and tax increase almost yearly. They add up over time. A little here, a little there, after awhile it all becomes unaffordable, but they never LOWER property taxes.

 

From what I know of King County:

Taxes are based on prior year assessments; assessments are only done every two or three years [I could be wrong on that].

Most county assessors have a means of appealing your valuation; check here for how it's done in King County, WA [county seat = Seattle].

I vaguely recall that market fluctuations don't immediately reflect in the tax roll, but go for it anyway. Maybe they can modify the valuation for the future for your house and land.

 

Our property tax is high, but we live in a good school district compared to others in TX and we don't have any state income tax.

 

Oh we had an assesment last year and it went up roughly 10%.

 

My wife's old man has lakefront property. Pines, eagles in the backyard, couple hundred feet of lakeshore, etc. He's had the home up for sale for LESS than his assessed value for 2-3 years (including before the downturn), but no buyers. He took the issue to his county, and no dice.

There are two aspects of taxes at play here. One is the assessed value of the property, which must be within +/- 5% of the property going-rate (if I recall my own conversation with an assessor). The other is the tax rate itself. That's your "representatives" at work. They can raise the whole tax table, and keep it there, if that sort of legislation passes.

 

Eh - a simple condo apartment here in Jersey pays $4800 in taxes.
Actual houses $7000 and up per year.

I took a relocation to here, now its hard to get out from owning property.

 

I don't even care anymore.

I am the direct descendant of Nathaniel Greene. America deserves a better me, and I deserve a better America.

How far we have fallen. I apologize to everyone of you for not fulfilling my family Oath.

The constitution is dead.

 

I just found out I may qualify for a AG exemption (Farm) Looking into specific details. It could reduce $5200 by $500 so it may be a start.

Thanks for the don't let the TAX man in the house advice.... It seems to be an almost across the board statement by both board members as well as some local advice from people in my area...

Thanks all

 

You don't have to let the tax man in. My father in law is actually going to court to dispute that home assessments are unconstitutional. You need a damn permit to do anything to your house so why do they need to come inside? They know exactly how big or small your house is. They don't need to come inside.

 

I was told that you don't have to let the assessor in, but that disqualifies you from being able to challenge the assessment. At least in my area, you have to pick your poison. I was a little irked that my home was assessed like 10-20% higher than my neighbor's (same layout, but he's got new siding and all new windows). I pretty much see it as hopeless.

What's Constitutional is -- unfortunately -- a moot point at this stage in the American Experiment. You need to pick your battles, cut your losses.