Williamson Country Tax Survey, should I fill it out?? (Howe: appliances, loan)

[GANKS]

Hi,

Yesterday in the mail we got our Williamson tax survey. It asked how much we paid for our house, etc. It also asked if the purchase price included furniture, special equipment, etc.

I'm pretty sure I'm under no obligation to respond to this, it didn't say it was a requirement. I think it's just a sneaky tactic they use on unsuspecting people. On the flip side, I wonder I entered all the upgraded kitchen appliances in my house as special equipment if that would reduce my tax bill.

I also wonder what would happen if I put down a purchase price of about half of what I paid what would happen - it's not a legal doc (just wondering).

Thanks for any advice

[SurferDude]

I got the same notice. I think it is optional, however I didn't want to fake numbers because there is a signature line on the bottom.

[austifornian]

It will be used to reappraise your house and increase your taxes. It is completely voluntary. When you get your assessment next year if it is lower than what you paid you win. If it is higher than what you paid you can take your hud statement to the appraisal office and challenge the assessment.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

I still chuckle when I think about mine. I recall it was very official looking, and it said something along the lines of "We are required by law to collect this information..." Interesting verbiage, it didn't say anything about me being required to fill it out. Well, my trash can looked real lonely and empty, so it joined the round file.

[love roses]

That's pretty much where ours ended up as well.

[mrsengle]

Originally Posted by FromCalitoSteinerRanch

I still chuckle when I think about mine. I recall it was very official looking, and it said something along the lines of "We are required by law to collect this information..." Interesting verbiage, it didn't say anything about me being required to fill it out. Well, my trash can looked real lonely and empty, so it joined the round file.

The trash can looked real lonely...LOL!!

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by mrsengle

The trash can looked real lonely...LOL!!

Kind of a side question. Our agent that represented us in the purchase did not warn us about it. We did tell her after the fact what we did with it, and said that was a good choice. Question, are agents not allowed to warn their clients, or maybe it just slipped her mind?

[love roses]

It may have slipped her mind. I think our agent told us about it.

[mrsengle]

Originally Posted by FromCalitoSteinerRanch

Kind of a side question. Our agent that represented us in the purchase did not warn us about it. We did tell her after the fact what we did with it, and said that was a good choice. Question, are agents not allowed to warn their clients, or maybe it just slipped her mind?

There is no such rule. However, if an agent told you that it's coming and you should trash it, and by some freak coincidence the comptroller found out, they would probably scream tortious interference. (Being a little dramatic there)

Aside from the fact that this 'survey' is a bit sneaky, I don't understand why they want the financial information they ask for. Type of loan, downpayment, interest rate, and years financed - with a very few exceptions, none of this has to do with the valuation of the property.