Property Taxes/Assessment HELP ME

[Lewski709]

We live in a house built in 1917 (it's nice) approx 1800sq ft and have a lot that is not even big enough to fence in, small. Our property taxes quadrupled and I am sick about it.

How can my taxes quadruple and someone with a house built in 1985 with 2600sq ft with a little less than an acre in the same county be charged less in property taxes? Their property taxes went DOWN.

I just don't understand it and need help.

If we ask for a reassessment, I am afraid it will be higher becuase the original assessment was based on the original house and we have put a small addition on it. However, it doesn't seem right.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Lewski, I went thru a similar situation this year. I had to meet with the county auditors and plead my case. Make an appt. and take with you, printouts of some of the houses in your neighborhood and what their taxes are to help you convince them to lower your property taxes. Good luck. Mine got lowered significantly!

TC

 

[CajunDixie]

I'm in Indiana too and our taxes went down. I have noticed though that houses actually on a lake or houses that are 2nd homes went a bit higher. Check to see if your county has a website where you can input a name or address to see what the current and past taxes are for that property. I've yet to see a property that quadrupled. Maybe a mistake was made in your new rate. If your property is in town it cant be compared to a property not in the town limits.

 

[Lewski709]

My house is city....the other house is county that I am speaking on. I am going to look for a website.

 

[mrsmom]

I have a house in indiana too and that's up for sale now but it's on a private lake and everyone told me that their taxes have went down about 50.00 a month.I haven't got my tax bill as of yet.
Kim

 

[Toby'sFriend]

If we ask for a reassessment, I am afraid it will be higher becuase the original assessment was based on the original house and we have put a small addition on it.

Unless you didn't have a Permit, they should already be aware of the addition. The only way to get the bill lowered is to ask for a reassessment, even if the thought of it scares you.

Also, check the bill against last year's and make sure they are still applying all the right taxes. One year our house mysteriously got moved into the City limits instead of just being Township, and all the sudden we were paying for a water and sewer system located miles and miles away.

 

[Lewski709]

We had a permit. Ok, that eases my mind a bit. We are not on a lake. We received the assessment which stated we could NOT ask for a reassessment because the taxes went too high, we had to have a valid reason and that, to them, is invalid.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

no that's true. The tax rates are what they are.

You can however hold that they are valuing your house too high or that they are applying the wrong rates.

If you look at what houses in your area are currently selling for and compare it to your house (making adjustments for square feet and condition), you can get an idea of whether or not what they have is a good estimate of the real market value of your house.

 

[CajunDixie]

Another thing to look for on your own property is your deductions. Yesterday was the deadline but you still need to make sure any deductions you had in the past are currently listed on your bill.

"Homeowners have until Dec. 15 to file for the homestead credit, mortgage deduction and other deductions for veterans, low-income seniors and homeowners with disabilities," Kernan said in a statement.

When researching other properties in my county I noticed that school employees get a government deduction too.

Possibly you'll have to wait for lawmakers to change things too

House Democrats have promised to pursue additional relief, including deductions for family farmers and owners of older homes, when lawmakers convene their regular session in January.

 

[Lewski709]

what choice do I have other than to trust the political bs?

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

You could hire an assessment attonrey who is familiar with your neighborhood. The attonrey can give you an evaluation as to whether you are bing overtaxed in comparison to similar properties in your neighborhood.