Sunday, May 23, 2010

“Service aims at property tax protests” plus 3 more

“Service aims at property tax protests” plus 3 more

Service aims at property tax protests

Posted: 23 May 2010 06:36 AM PDT

Richard Hill recently kicked off a new business venture offering property tax consultants to homeowners

"With some of the latest news on homes being overtaxed, I thought this might be important news to homeowners in Longview," Hill said of his Property Tax Valuation and Consulting Service. He is a Pine Tree High School graduate and a graduate of Baylor University.

"You've probably found that every year your property taxes just continue to increase," Hill said. By protesting, property owners often can save time and money by using the services of a professional familiar with the processes.

"I will use neighborhood sales analysis and appraisal comparisons to argue your case so that your appraisal is fair and equal," he said.

Hill said he will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to protest and help property owners lower taxes. Those options may include informal hearings, Appraisal Review Board hearings and other avenues, he said.

"Even if your property is taxed for less than its market value, you could still be eligible for a property tax cut based on inequitable assessment compared to neighboring or competing properties," Hill said.

State law prescribes a procedure for protesting the assessed value of your property, upon which you are taxed by multiple taxing jurisdictions, he said.

"The process is sometimes laborious and can be painstaking, but it is possible to achieve results if you can present evidence to support your case," he said. "You may represent yourself, or you may engage an agent to represent you by signing an appointment of agent form."

Any agent who presents an appeal on a property owner's behalf must be a Texas Licensed Tax Consultant or possess another related real estate license.

Hill said his service fees are based on a percentage of the value of property taxes saved. Clients pay only if Hill reduces their tax bill, he said.

In 2009, Richard said he handled more than 1,200 protests in the Houston area, effectively reducing client's assessed values by almost $11 million, cutting their taxes by more than $280,000. He said results are based on real estate knowledge, property tax consulting experience, understanding the property tax process and employing an aggressive approach.

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Planet Election Guide: Property tax hike

Posted: 23 May 2010 07:09 AM PDT

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Tuesday is deadline to file grievances on property tax

Posted: 22 May 2010 11:12 PM PDT

Christian Livermore

Tuesday is the final day to file a formal grievance on property-tax assessments.

Grievance Day is the fourth Tuesday in May in most towns, which this year is May 25.

Forms are available from county assessor's offices or county real property tax services offices.


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Property tax to resurface in special session

Posted: 23 May 2010 12:05 AM PDT

Legal language for a property tax levy to be placed on the Aug. 3 primary election ballot will be discussed again Monday afternoon during a special meeting of the Neosho City Council.

The session is set for 3 p.m. Monday in council chambers of Neosho City Hall, located at 203 E. Main St.
The initiative was tentatively approved last Tuesday by a 4-1 vote of the city council, with councilmember Heather Bowers casting the dissenting vote, saying she wanted to make sure all of the fat had been trimmed from the city's budget before she voted for a property tax issue.

"And I haven't seen that," she said.

The initiative would ask voters if the city should charge a property tax levy of $1 per $100 assessed valuation on real and personal property. Funds derived from the tax would be used to pay off the city's indebtedness. For a homeowner whose property has been assessed at $100,000, a dollar tax levy would mean an additional $190 in property taxes annually. Assessed valuation is 19 percent of the home's value.

The city recently borrowed $1.3 million from five local banks in certificates of deposit to cover cost overruns on city projects, including renovations to the Neosho Civic Auditorium.

Last week, the council backed off of a five year sunset provision on the tax following a legal opinion delivered by Steve Hays, city attorney, from Howard Wright, a former city attorney for the city of Springfield, Mo., and past president of the Missouri Municipal Attorney Board.

Wright told Hays there were two issues with the 1997 repeal of the property tax, the biggest of which was how it bound future councils. He said the retired Springfield attorney said a 1901 Missouri Supreme Court case set precedent, ruling that a general assembly cannot tie the hands of a successor. Therefore, Hays said he was told, the 1997 ordinance to eliminate the property tax was null and void, and the city has "absolute authority" to impose a levy without a vote of the people.

In a telephone interview Saturday afternoon, Neosho Mayor Richard Davidson said while the council was loathe to impose a property tax without voter approval, it was one of the options the city must consider.
"It's important to understand what options we have," Davidson said. "But that won't be anywhere close to the dollar (per $100 assessed valuation) that the city needs. We want to be clear on what options there are and not keep any options off of the table. Hopefully, voters will pass a tax levy, as that's what's needed."
In other business, the council will clarify its immediate priorities for Interim City Manager Harlan Moore.
Davidson said Moore wants to know what projects and issues the council considers a top priority so he can concentrate on those duties.

The council may also meet in closed session to discuss legal issues.
 

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