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In Texas, the homestead emexption isn't really worth much in the grand scheme of things. Better than nothing, but not really significant. What IS significant is when people have huge improvements done without the proper permits that would have triggered an appraisal review. I know of two cases (same individual) that cost the county/city/school district nearly $50,000 in property taxes over the years (that $50K isn't a typo). And the way I understand it, if the appraisal district misses the 3000sf addition for 10 years, they can't go back and get those monies. I expect the new owners got a big surprise when they got THEIR first tax statement... because the sale generated paperwork.
I'm on team report the tax cheat, but after my friend moves out.
My friend, the renter, is planning to report the landlord after she moves.
Two other friends want to report him now (the landlord is an a***).
Meanwhile, we all want to know if our friend who actually deserves the exemption can somehow get it retroactively? Doubtful, I suppose. But at least, she'll save money moving forward.
If I remember correctly you're in Maryland. The answer is NO, the Homestead Exemption can not be applied retroactively.
Well, that adds another layer to things. Reporting the friend's landlord could result in an even higher rent increase for the friend. Would you want to be responsible for that?
Yes, landlord would have to increase rents to cover tax increases. But landlord is still cheating. I am a landlord and I know better. There are tax cheats everywhere. Makes you feel like the fool when you’re the one following the rules.
I have one for you: my own mother sold her NY house at something over 10x her original purchase price and when she saw the capital gains tax, she skipped on it and moved to FL. She even asked the tax preparers what would happen if she did and they were aghast, not recommending that course of action at all, but nothing would happen except that there would be a lien against her in NY and any property she owned could be garnished (if that's the right term) and wages she earned. As that was not in the least likely to happen, she blew off out of state and left me and everyone else in NY on the hook for her portion.
I was going to report her until I found out there was really no penalty, so what would have been the point?
I think this is a deeper question then right or wrong. What's going on between you and mom? The irs will get their money, they always do.
One friend rents and was concerned about an upcoming increase.
Another friend owns and said her property taxes were increasing so quickly that she didn't know if she'd be able to afford her house.
At that point, I asked if she (the property owner) had claimed the homestead exemption. She didn't know. Property records are online and public, you can see purchase price, homestead exemption status, dates, etc. She had not claimed the exemption so was happy about upcoming savings.
Meanwhile, my renter friend decided to look up her property address. The landlord is claiming the exemption which is obviously wrong.
Regarding the anonymity: our county is actively looking for those wrongly claiming the exemption. They have a very simple, anonymous, online portal.
One friend rents and was concerned about an upcoming increase.
Another friend owns and said her property taxes were increasing so quickly that she didn't know if she'd be able to afford her house.
At that point, I asked if she (the property owner) had claimed the homestead exemption. She didn't know. Property records are online and public, you can see purchase price, homestead exemption status, dates, etc. She had not claimed the exemption so was happy about upcoming savings.
Meanwhile, my renter friend decided to look up her property address. The landlord is claiming the exemption which is obviously wrong.
Regarding the anonymity: our county is actively looking for those wrongly claiming the exemption. They have a very simple, anonymous, online portal.
Isn’t that a breach of the landlord’s end of the lease- the landlord isn’t operating his or her rental properties in accordance with applicable law?
I’d report the landlord AND sue the landlord in small claims court or housing court for breach of the lease, listing the landlord’s illegal tax methods in the complaint. That would be fun.
Last edited by GSPNative; 08-31-2021 at 02:00 PM..
No. It's none of my business. Whatever tax cheating that happens is between that homeowner, the DA, and the County.
My understanding is that the general property tax rate is determined by their calculation of what they will take in from property taxes weighed against the cost of running the local government/city etc.
If a person is cheating on property taxes, the calculation for how much property tax is taken in will be reduced and again weighed against the cost of running the local government/city etc. So the government will be forced to increase the general tax rate which impacts EVERYONE in that municipality.
If enough people do it, it can have a significant increase on everyone else's property tax including yours. So ... no.... it is actually your business as it is you, in part, will be making up the difference.
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