Good Gawd A-mighty

[Tom Sawyer]

In the parlance of my home community

By Gawd Capt. I dont know if I can stand this , Its a bad lick.

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Looking at my tax assessment almost caused me to have a heart attack.

Now I dont own much just a small home fairly close to the water,and a small lot down on the river. It isnt much,but its mine, its paid for. I live on a retirement income and its satisfactory.

When the real estate assessment almost doubles in three years thats a lick thats hard to absorb. I would like to have enough after Federal Income taxes, State taxes. Sales Taxes ,car registration, boat registration, use taxes,-- health, life, fire, homeowner, boat , Insurances --and Real estate taxes to eat just twice a day if the Government would let up just enough to let me.

Now the County will tell you they havent raised taxes, they dont say they dont assess you into the poor house. Is there really a difference between raisng taxes and raising assessments.???
Not so as your pocketbook can tell. It seems every three years its time to bend over and take it again.

This is bad, but whats worse is the tax and spend Democrats are in office again and we are going to get nailed from Annapolis.

 

[desertrat]

In the parlance of my home community

By Gawd Capt. I dont know if I can stand this , Its a bad lick.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking at my tax assessment almost caused me to have a heart attack.

Now I dont own much just a small home fairly close to the water,and a small lot down on the river. It isnt much,but its mine, its paid for. I live on a retirement income and its satisfactory.

When the real estate assessment almost doubles in three years thats a lick thats hard to absorb. I would like to have enough after Federal Income taxes, State taxes. Sales Taxes ,car registration, boat registration, use taxes,-- health, life, fire, homeowner, boat , Insurances --and Real estate taxes to eat just twice a day if the Government would let up just enough to let me.

Now the County will tell you they havent raised taxes, they dont say they dont assess you into the poor house. Is there really a difference between raisng taxes and raising assessments.???
Not so as your pocketbook can tell. It seems every three years its time to bend over and take it again.

This is bad, but whats worse is the tax and spend Democrats are in office again and we are going to get nailed from Annapolis.

I feel your pain.

 

[jazz lady]

Now the County will tell you they havent raised taxes, they dont say they dont assess you into the poor house. Is there really a difference between raisng taxes and raising assessments.???

No, other than they can claim in an election year they did not raise taxes.

Interesting article from The Washington Post:

Maryland's property assessments increased 56 percent in the past three years, even as the real estate market started slowing, according to recently released data from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Some of the steepest increases were in Prince George's and St. Mary's counties and parts of Baltimore County, where demand for high-end housing has outpaced supply.

Many other jurisdictions, including Calvert and Charles counties, also had assessment increases much higher than the state average. Montgomery, Frederick and Howard counties had substantial increases, although not as large as those elsewhere.

The state's most recent assessment report covers 2004 through 2006. Much of the 56 percent increase was driven by the hot real estate market of a few years ago. State officials said the data reflect what many home buyers and sellers know: It takes longer than it did a year ago to sell a house, and prices aren't rising as quickly as they had. "It is an adjustment to a more normal market," said Ilene S. Kessler, a Howard agent who is president of the Maryland Association of Realtors.

"Home values are not growing as quickly," said Bill Stansbury, state supervisor of assessments. "The rate of increase has somewhat leveled off."

Despite signs of slowing sales, assessments in Maryland are expected to continue to increase because buildable land is scarce, said C. John Sullivan Jr., director of the state Department of Assessments and Taxation.

"Throughout the state, it is very difficult to buy a building lot," he said.

So even though sales are slowing and home value increases are leveling off, they're still going to raise assessments because building lots are getting scarce.

I can't wait to get my new assessment next year.

 

[ylexot]

Don't like/agree with the assessment, dispute it. It tells you how to do it right on the form. :shrug:

 

[2ndAmendment]

Yet another reason to move.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Don't like/agree with the assessment, dispute it. It tells you how to do it right on the form. :shrug:

Yes it does. It tells you they will sell you a worksheet of comparable properties. Comparable properties they have already ripped off like they want to rip you off.

The sell you a list of properties just like yours that they have raised the taxes on just like they raised yours. Yeah fat chance you have there.

What a racket.

 

[ylexot]

Yes it does. It tells you they will sell you a worksheet of comparable properties. Comparable properties they have already ripped off like they want to rip you off.

The sell you a list of properties just like yours that they have raised the taxes on just like they raised yours. Yeah fat chance you have there.

What a racket.

No, the comparable properties have to properties that have sold recently and what the selling price was...just like any other appraisal.

And they don't sell you a list. It's freely available. In fact, there are web sites that you can go to and get listings.