here is a recap of Saturday's (7/12/08) Property Tax Forum
Appeals Info1. Paralegal Bill Price from Joe Geeslin's law firm went over the property tax appeal process. The deadline is July 25, 2008. He also provided written materials, that included what evidence and documentation is needed for the appeal. (Contact me if you want more about this.) He also advised to make sure you are taking all exemptions including: homestead, mortgage, over 65 (if your adjusted gross income is $25,000 or less), Blind or Disabled (if your taxable income is $17,000 or less)
2. People were encouraged to go to their township assessor to review their property record card to make sure it is accurate because it is the basis for how your property is valued, and errors are possible and can be costly. It includes square feet, age of the property, number of bathrooms, basement, garage, etc.
3. To see guidelines assessors use, you can go to: IN.GOV, click on "Taxes and Finance", on lefthand side is a blue box titled Taxes, under that click on "Local Government Finances", on lefthand side, under "Info for Local Government", click on Assessors, then Overview and Manuals, and then 2002 Real Property Rule. These guidelines will be in effect until 2011.
II. If You Don't Have the Funds to Pay the Higher Taxes Now, or if Appeals Won't Help Because the Assessments May Be Accurate, But Still Too High for You to Pay
We discussed some options to consider if you do not have the cash on hand to pay the increase in your taxes, without going into debt or losing your home,
1. Legally you are supposed to pay the full amount of your property tax. But if you believe that the assessment was too high and that you are going to win on appeal, you can probably pay the old tax amount while you are waiting for your chance to appeal. Although there is nothing in state law to allow for it, in practicality said tax attorney Joe Geeslin, the state has never taken someone's home away under these circumstances. The downside is if you lose on appeal, you will be charged interest and penalties for what you owe.
2. For anyone who is in the situation of being charged more than their income would allow, Sheila Jenkins, from Community Development Law Center, 921 8806 X 26, said she would be willing to go to bat for them by meeting with government officials such as Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes, or Treasurer Michael Rodman to discuss the situation and look for alternatives. Her assistant is Carl Clark, 921 8806 X 21, carlbclarkjr@hotmail.com
3. Joe Bowling, jbowling@enn.org, 633 8210 x 2357 suggested the possibility of using a community loan or grant program - where individuals in the community would loan or donate funds to help others in the community whose taxes are beyond their means.
4. Bridgette Gross, 232 9461, a representative from Sen. Jean Breaux's offfice was at the forum. She said constituents could also contact Breaux' office to see if she could help. City Council Rep. Brian Mahern, 634 5060, was also there. And Sen. Jim Merritt, jmerritt31@yahoo.com, could not be there but expressed interest. So contacting city and state reps is another avenue to pursue.
Pursuing Legislative SolutionsEd Angleton and Jenny Elkins headed up a steering committee to explore Legislative solutions to this issue. They came up with a list of ideas and have scheduled another meeting for:
Wednesday, 7/16, 7 pm -1215 Polk Street in the Cottage Home Neighborhood (west of Tech and South of 10th street)Jenny wrote, "I think we all feel that we need to act now and not let any grass grow under our feet. So if you are able to come please email yes" to jse64art@sbcglobal.net.
Finally, please send me feedback about forum, or ideas and comments in general to me. Thanks!
Laurie Klinger
637-6242
