Property taxes

Yep, we have been here almost 30 years now and I've ridden the, dwelling-needs-X-repairs horse as far as it will go with the county.

The taxes I complain least about are my property taxes. This is because they are the ones that I have most control over and see the most results from. We have good local schools. Not the newest or the fanciest but I know many of the teachers and most of the school board. They work hard and care. That's all I can ask of them for my money. My roads are well maintained. The plow doesn't come by quite as often as ten years ago but with fuel and other costs having risen they do a good job of managing budgets. Other local services are good and the people in charge responsive. Maybe I'm just lucky to live where I live or maybe those, like me, who work with the people and systems in place to make things better make our own luck. Vote in local elections. Run for local office. Volunteer where you can help. It's your govt.

Minnesota had a balanced legislation with Dems and Repubs controlling at least one branch of govt, and so their was much fighting and gridlock. This was not a perfect situation, but it did keep taxes on an even keel, which has always been one of the highest taxed states around when you consider all taxes together.

This past cycle, we went to one party controlling all 3 branches of govt, and the arguing has turned to how high and how many people can we tax in how many different ways?

We are not in a good situation.

In the past, local govts have suffered as the State, in it's frustration, had cut payments to the counties but continued to add mandated and local spending. This has created hardships for local counties, so their taxes have gone up.

In the farm areas, the explosion in farmland prices has helped those counties make up the difference, but only rural houses, not farmland, count for school property funding .

Anyhow, we are facing higher property, vehicle, licencing, fuel, wheelage, property, sales taxes, as well as higher fees for doing anything, as well as more regulation to apply for fees to be able to do anything.

Again, we are not in a good position here in this state at this time.

Paul

He is totally trying to scam you. Do not fall for it. I live in NY and am very educated on fighting taxes. You go to the grievance meeting. Do not come empty handed. Ahead of time, you get a realtor to come do an evaluation on your property. It should come equal to or lower then what you paid. If it doesnt then find a realtor friend who will play with the comparatives until it does. They can not tell you they didnt advertise or any BS like that. Completely illegal. The only time they can tell you they wont lower taxes is when the home was in a tax lien sale. Even then, if you showed up with a realtor estimate, they have to go by that. They are so trying to scam you. Fight Fight Fight. I am sooo sick of high taxes. I can barely make it and have no mortgage, I have no idea how anyone is making huge mortgage payments and taxes. just crazy. Our children will never be able to afford a home.

Just do the appeal process. Make SURE you have the instructions on how to do it properly. Typically, bring photos of your property and photos and price paid on at least three comps - that sold WITHIN THE TIME FRAME specified by the appeal process.

There is no reason to even bother to get upset, it is just a game. The rule of the game is that "assessed value" HAS to be accurate. As was astutely pointed out before, you don't want to broadcast that you got your taxes reduced. When EVERYBODY gets the assessment reduced, then the rate of taxation is increased, and the process starts all over.

..................In tx they can't tax an RV like a mobile home unless one removes wheels and tires ! My license plates say 2009 , cause I've been in this same RV park for 4 and 1\2 years . , fordy