[seeriously]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Now that property values are dropping, do you think that tax assessors will have to drop their market value? If not is anyone planning on challenging them in court for overcharging them on their property taxes? Is there any proposal out their to eliminate the "presumption of correctness" standard that prevents you from winning Value Adjustment Board challenges?

Ours went up. We're assessed $8,000 more this year than last year. Go figure?

[bale002]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Is there any proposal out their to eliminate the "presumption of correctness" standard that prevents you from winning Value Adjustment Board challenges?

Yes. A law that would require the county to buy the owner's property at the county's assessed value on demand by the owner during the entire time period the assessment is in effect.

Alternatively, the owner sets the assessed value and the county has the right to buy the property at that price on demand during the time period that the owner-determined assessed value is in place.

As for millage rates, any increases should be subject to county-wide referenda.

We already have a 3% cap on increases in assessed value, at least for homesteaded owners.

In either case, the local government budget process needs to be more democratic or at least more transparent, but that would imply that people with voting rights have a working understanding of budgets, but judging how many people fell for the suicide-loan scam, we would have a long way to go.

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by bale002

Yes. A law that would require the county to buy the owner's property at the county's assessed value on demand by the owner during the entire time period the assessment is in effect.

Now THAT I can go for! Imagine how easy it would be then to just sell the swampland and head for the border! Is there any hope of this becomming law?

[bale002]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Now THAT I can go for! Imagine how easy it would be then to just sell the swampland and head for the border! Is there any hope of this becomming law?

I don't think so. I read that a similar law in a county up north (Wisconsin or Michigan) was actually repealed: too much reality for people to handle, I guess.

Below is the latest proposal from the Florida State House. What I like is that the homestead exemption is tied to a percentage, not a fixed amount.

Here is a complete list of the issues being proposed in the House plan today:

-Instead of doubling the homestead exemption, this exemption is tied to the county's median home value and will target relief to all homestead property owners (not just first time buyers). Again, the exemption would be 40% of area median.

-Save Our Homes-like cap on non-homestead and commercial property to help restore fairness, equity and predictability to our property tax system by capping any increase at 5%. This will help businesses who have faced outrageous tax increases and owners of second homes (Snowbirds).

-Portability - homeowners may transfer their Save Our Homes benefits to a new homestead anywhere in Florida within 2 years of leaving their former homestead.

-New Tangible Personal Property Exemption of $25,000

-Limits the authority of local governments to increase property taxes

-Provides for limitations on assessed values of properties used for affordable housing

-Provides an assessment growth limitation for all non-homestead properties in Florida by 5%

-Creates more flexibility for the Legislature to limit assessments for working waterfront properties

-Election of all county property appraisers

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by wacahootaman

I read that in Ft Meyers a lot of people won their case for lower assessments with the Value Adjustment Board only to have the tax assessor sue to have them overturned.

Charlotte property appraiser says values were cut unfairly

Yup, the idea of getting real money back from the government is like asking any thief to give you back some of your money after they robbed you.

[tallrick]

The problem is that they would decide to cap future tax increases after we had the greatest tax run up in history. Now property owners will be punished in eternity. They should roll back the assessments to 2000, then go 5% per year from there.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by tallrick

They should roll back the assessments to 2000, then go 5% per year from there.

That would be realistic. But it ain't gonna happen.