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Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 2:08:43 PM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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Hello. I have been putting this off long enough.

I need some ideas or links so as to write my property tax appeal. [must be in before 9-1]

I was supposed to get a $179 due to the casino money but they dont -well since according to them, I do not live here- I miss out.
Give me some ideas to work on. I types up a 1st draft....but I need more. I put it on google docs- so I can email it- and you can add to it, edit it. ?

Anyhow help???

< Message edited by pahunkboy -- 8/12/2008 2:15:33 PM >

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 2:27:29 PM

slaveboyforyou

Posts: 3607
Joined: 1/6/2005
From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
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quote:

I was supposed to get a $179 due to the casino money but they dont -well since according to them, I do not live here- I miss out.

When you say "them", I assume you mean the county assessor. Why are they saying you don't live there? If you own the property and reside there, what's the deal?

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 2:35:03 PM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
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From: Central Pennsylvania
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the form they never sent wasnt filled out, according to their office. Where I might ad, the cheif assessor has resigned due to paperwork problems.

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 2:40:52 PM

Thadius

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Proving you live there shouldn't be a problem. You do have ID with your address on it, utility bills, I assume a mortgage payment, insurance, and all of that fun stuff. Not to mention federal and state tax returns...

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 2:44:32 PM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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yes. I have that. They said I had to apply for the homeowner exeption in december of 2007. They said they sent a form to me then. I would have noticed anything like that. The mail is reliable.....

OH- I did dispute the assessment when I first moved in. They reduced it. They sorta cant come down too much more ---- but 10% should be doable.

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 3:08:58 PM

PanthersMom

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Joined: 11/26/2007
From: Cleveland Ohio
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if you disputed the assessment then there should be a record of it. depending on the date, that should establish your ownership from that point. beyond that, letters to the editor, complaints to the local news channels and any consumer protection agencies in the area. best of luck.
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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 3:15:48 PM

slaveboyforyou

Posts: 3607
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From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

yes. I have that. They said I had to apply for the homeowner exeption in december of 2007. They said they sent a form to me then. I would have noticed anything like that. The mail is reliable.....

OH- I did dispute the assessment when I first moved in. They reduced it. They sorta cant come down too much more ---- but 10% should be doable.

If you disputed it when you first moved in, than there should be a record of it. If there isn't, then I'd be raising hell about it. I don't know anything about Pennsylvania law, so I'd go ask an attorney. I'm sure y'all got some sort of free legal aid clinic that'll give you advice.

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 5:18:35 PM

pahunkboy

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http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df9mtgd_41dzgcdpf2

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/12/2008 7:06:51 PM

candystripper

Posts: 3486
Joined: 11/1/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Hello. I have been putting this off long enough.

I need some ideas or links so as to write my property tax appeal. [must be in before 9-1]

I was supposed to get a $179 due to the casino money but they dont -well since according to them, I do not live here- I miss out.
Give me some ideas to work on. I types up a 1st draft....but I need more. I put it on google docs- so I can email it- and you can add to it, edit it. ?

Anyhow help???

Pahunkboy, I cannot decipher enough facts from your post to make a meaningful response. Let me ask some questions, okay?

First, are you talking about the tax imposed on real property, probably by your county?

Is the property your home?

Were you offered or denied a homestead exemption?

Has the tax collector indicated in some way that the tax is deliquent?

Do you own your home outright?

Nothing is hopeless....to find the facts you need, determine which taxing authority is involved and what stage they claim the tax has reached. If the taxing authority is a county or other locale, you may need to visit their offices, but somewhere close to you, you will find a current copy of the codified legalese they use to impose aand collect tax.

Find a clerk or other long-time employee and ask for assistance in finding and deciphering the code....and show them any correspondence you have received. Ask a lot of questions...this person is best able to assist you....few attorneys are trained in local taxation as it simply isn't profitable enough.

I don't know what documents you hope to get from the 'net. Municpal codes and real property records are almost never available. Additionally, to use at hearing, you likely need 'authenticated' documents bearing a stamp or something from the property clerk, so if you haven't got a set, you'll need a new one...which you can usually get for a modest fee same day.

Other resources to use include a local county councilman's staffers; a realtor; a title agency employee; etc. Many such people are more than willing to help without charge if asked politely.

Of course, little of this is of any use if the tax involved is not on real property, so if that is the case, please provide some detail as to what sort of tax it is.

Best wishes.

caandystripper

< Message edited by candystripper -- 8/12/2008 7:08:36 PM >

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/13/2008 7:46:37 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: candystripper

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Hello. I have been putting this off long enough.

I need some ideas or links so as to write my property tax appeal. [must be in before 9-1]

I was supposed to get a $179 due to the casino money but they dont -well since according to them, I do not live here- I miss out.
Give me some ideas to work on. I types up a 1st draft....but I need more. I put it on google docs- so I can email it- and you can add to it, edit it. ?

Anyhow help???

Pahunkboy, I cannot decipher enough facts from your post to make a meaningful response. Let me ask some questions, okay?

First, are you talking about the tax imposed on real property, probably by your county?

Is the property your home?

Were you offered or denied a homestead exemption?

Has the tax collector indicated in some way that the tax is deliquent?

Do you own your home outright?

Nothing is hopeless....to find the facts you need, determine which taxing authority is involved and what stage they claim the tax has reached. If the taxing authority is a county or other locale, you may need to visit their offices, but somewhere close to you, you will find a current copy of the codified legalese they use to impose aand collect tax.

Find a clerk or other long-time employee and ask for assistance in finding and deciphering the code....and show them any correspondence you have received. Ask a lot of questions...this person is best able to assist you....few attorneys are trained in local taxation as it simply isn't profitable enough.

I don't know what documents you hope to get from the 'net. Municpal codes and real property records are almost never available. Additionally, to use at hearing, you likely need 'authenticated' documents bearing a stamp or something from the property clerk, so if you haven't got a set, you'll need a new one...which you can usually get for a modest fee same day.

Other resources to use include a local county councilman's staffers; a realtor; a title agency employee; etc. Many such people are more than willing to help without charge if asked politely.

Of course, little of this is of any use if the tax involved is not on real property, so if that is the case, please provide some detail as to what sort of tax it is.

Best wishes.

caandystripper

The 2x a year county tax. Yes. No there is a mortgage. I am disputing the vauluation. Sorta in lew of since they thru their error, did not give me the $179 casino money.

I dont think the process is quite as formal as you say. this is a hick area. so things are abit more casual.

a good write up, and I think I can get something- if anything to shut me up. so it just has to sound good.

on google docs- i guess i have to email each person who edits it.

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RE: Help needed-property tax appeal - 8/13/2008 7:49:05 AM

pahunkboy

Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
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oh- the filing fee is $15. so a reduction of any kind is worth it. BTW NOBODY files for this locally. 2 big busniesses have - but residents are not sogphosticated... and dont file. My realtor who has 30 yrs experience told me that she doubts any reduction happens so to not even bother. this was last year. before I had them reduced.... lol

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