My wife's chickens are official taxpayers

[madpogue]

(Note to self: locate shed under overhang of neighbor's large evergreen....)

 

[Mike Costello]

I've already done the county tax assessor face off thing when I put up my pole barn/workshop/garage. Here's how it works in my county:

1. Adding a structure on your property increases its value; therefore your valuation goes up. The structure, depending on what it is, can be classified as residential or agricultural and taxed accordingly. Permanent foundation or not doesn't make much of a difference. My shop is a pole barn type construction with a poured concrete floor and electricity. It was taxed accordingly. Had I added water and sewer, it would have almost been classified as a potentially livable structure and presumably the tax rate would have gone up considerably.

2. The county does not require any building permits or inspections. They assume you know what you're doing and if it falls down around your ears--well, it's your fault. They do require a permit for only two things, which are wells and septic systems.

3. If you add a structure to your property, you're supposed to let them know about it so they can update their records. Square footage and what it's for seem to be the information they're looking for as far as assigning value.

I considered a chicken coop as "no big deal" so I was quite surprised by the phone call I got from the assessor's office. I was amazed they even knew it was there because I live on a dead end road that has little traffic and few neighbors. I suppose the coop might have caught their eye because I put a roof on it that matched our home. It probably was, as stated earlier, picked up on an aerial survey. That's what I get for making it too nice! I was planning on siding it this Spring, but maybe "junky" is the watchword now. Should have used camo netting! The whole affair is funny in a perverse sort of way.

Just In: Our chickens have become organized (see the movie, "Chicken Run"). No eggs for the county folks. It's getting serious out here in rural Missouri. Those birds are going to Show'em now!

 

[Mike Costello]

I don't suppose you can take a deduction for the chickens.

Probably not--but I can sure spread the chicken s..t around!

 

[300UGUY]

I've already done the county tax assessor face off thing when I put up my pole barn/workshop/garage. Here's how it works in my county:

1. Adding a structure on your property increases its value; therefore your valuation goes up. The structure, depending on what it is, can be classified as residential or agricultural and taxed accordingly. Permanent foundation or not doesn't make much of a difference. My shop is a pole barn type construction with a poured concrete floor and electricity. It was taxed accordingly. Had I added water and sewer, it would have almost been classified as a potentially livable structure and presumably the tax rate would have gone up considerably.

2. The county does not require any building permits or inspections. They assume you know what you're doing and if it falls down around your ears--well, it's your fault. They do require a permit for only two things, which are wells and septic systems.

3. If you add a structure to your property, you're supposed to let them know about it so they can update their records. Square footage and what it's for seem to be the information they're looking for as far as assigning value.

I considered a chicken coop as "no big deal" so I was quite surprised by the phone call I got from the assessor's office. I was amazed they even knew it was there because I live on a dead end road that has little traffic and few neighbors. I suppose the coop might have caught their eye because I put a roof on it that matched our home. It probably was, as stated earlier, picked up on an aerial survey. That's what I get for making it too nice! I was planning on siding it this Spring, but maybe "junky" is the watchword now. Should have used camo netting! The whole affair is funny in a perverse sort of way.

Just In: Our chickens have become organized (see the movie, "Chicken Run"). No eggs for the county folks. It's getting serious out here in rural Missouri. Those birds are going to Show'em now!

I appealed my taxes a few years back. While waiting for my turn before the board, I observed an older woman there basically ratting out ALL of her neighbors. She went on and on, she had taken pics and even had measured additions a couple of her neighbor's had done on their homes. There are some real nasty folks out there. A friend of mine is an ordinance officer in a nearby township. He told me that all of his info comes from neighbor's, exwives, coworkers, or contractors.

 

[sodamo]

I appealed my taxes a few years back. While waiting for my turn before the board, I observed an older woman there basically ratting out ALL of her neighbors. She went on and on, she had taken pics and even had measured additions a couple of her neighbor's had done on their homes. There are some real nasty folks out there. A friend of mine is an ordinance officer in a nearby township. He told me that all of his info comes from neighbor's, exwives, coworkers, or contractors.

Yep. Back when I was living in Ga, a neighbor decided to replace this rusting out falling down, metal structure with a decent shop. Seems one of his abutting neighbors didn't like the idea and turned him in for sideyard violation. City inspector went to the wrong property, another neighbor who had finally begun repairing his dilapidated garage. Unfortunately, his improvement was a foot off, so he gets cited and the whole hearing thing gets set in motion. The other neighbor had measured precisely and was fine. Well, this whole scenario really ticked off another neighbor, 76 yo lady who had been coming up on the short end with the complaining neighbor for years. Somehow, she gets the idea to check tax records and low and behold, Mr Troublemaker had been claiming two county homestead exemptions for about 12 years - one property list his name/wife's name, second listed wife's name/his name. Something in excess of $20K. She didn't turn him in, but she did print out the info, put in in the mailboxes of the 2 neighbors he hassled and gleefully waited as they turned him in. He missed the last variance hearing. Variance granted, 1 new shop and 1 fixed up garage on the street. County coffers enriched.

 

[Loren49]

Sounds like much of what local government does is in response to some of the citizens living there. Its no big conspiracy. For each building that is not assessed, others have to pay the difference. The local budget is set by the local governing body (some are your neighbors) and the assessments and collection is done by other neighbors. A responsible citizen can become educated on the budget and try to find places to spend less.
I'm on a town board - had a public hearing on our 2011 budget last night - no one came, yet I'm sure there are some out there complaining who have no clue of where we spend our tax dollars. They do want their roads in good condition and to be plowed and sanded 24 hrs a day.
Whenever one person doesn't pay their share - someone else pays extra.

Loren

 

[smstonypoint]

I I was amazed they even knew it was there because I live on a dead end road that has little traffic and few neighbors. I suppose the coop might have caught their eye because I put a roof on it that matched our home. It probably was, as stated earlier, picked up on an aerial survey.

I'm sure that tax assessment operations differ across counties/states. This summer a county vehicle showed up at my farm in NC. The county employee told me that the tax assessment staff was visiting each parcel listed on the tax rolls to verify GPS coordinates and to check for unlisted buildings, particularly mobile homes.

Steve

 

[jpm]

the town i live in was reassed and part of my land is in a differant town. that town was reassing also the 4 ac in that town was assed almost a high as my 35ac. when i questioned the value i was told it was a buildable lot.it has no road axcess,on a 30 plus degree slope,average's 25 ft wide,soild rock.the assesor never saw the lot!! end result property value $500.00 i can live with that

 

[Mike Costello]

Being from California, I know all about property assessments and permit fees etc. because California has elevated reaching into your pocket to a fine art. Case in point: I built a log home in 2003-4 and had to pay out about $18,000 in permits and fees before I could even stack a log. Just after I finished the construction they jacked all the fees up to $24,000. Good thing I beat the increases.

When economic times are good govt. agencies ride the gravy train. When the economy falters, as we see it today, govt. starts searching for every loose dollar they can find. Aerial snooping, disgruntled neighbors, drivebys, are all used. Yes, even a lowly chicken coop is fair game.

 

[Duffster]

the town i live in was reassed and part of my land is in a differant town. that town was reassing also the 4 ac in that town was assed almost a high as my 35ac. when i questioned the value i was told it was a buildable lot.it has no road axcess,on a 30 plus degree slope,average's 25 ft wide,soild rock.the assesor never saw the lot!! end result property value $500.00 i can live with that

Sorry that made me :laughing: