Assessor came by today

[Tractor Seabee]

Around here they use Google Photo maps from previous years and do routine fly overs to look for improvements not on the record or done w/o permits, then they pounce on you. Far more efficient use of our tax money to get more tax money.

Ron

 

[powerpace]

Around here they use Google Photo maps from previous years and do routine fly overs to look for improvements not on the record or done w/o permits, then they pounce on you. Far more efficient use of our tax money to get more tax money.

Ron

Same here in Douglas County.

 

[Bird]

I built a 30x40 pole barn last year and the tax assessor came by today to check it out. We live in a small town so the assessor drives up from the capitol. I told him it was a pole barn with a dirt floor. After letting him in to examine, he informed me that "It's not a pole barn. A pole barn is up off the ground on poles."

City folk ... :confused2:

Assessor: "an expert who calculates the value of property."

Maybe it was his age instead of being from the city. I'm old enough to remember when he was right. A pole barn was one with no walls; just a roof on poles set in the ground. They were perhaps most commonly used to store hay.

 

[MikeFarm]

Hi all

We don't have taxes like that in Australia. The unimproved value of the land is taxed is reassessed by the State Govt every several years and that value is what the local Council base their land rates on. I could put up a castle and it would just need Council building approval but it would not change the rates I pay. Emigrate to Australia guys

Mike

 

[blueriver]

Maybe it was his age instead of being from the city. I'm old enough to remember when he was right. A pole barn was one with no walls; just a roof on poles set in the ground. They were perhaps most commonly used to store hay.

Bird its still that way in this county ... the hay barn I built a few years back is just that and when the assessor came out he said I could have the sidewalls come down from the eave 72" before it was would change.

Thats based on the sidewall height I guess ... I often think if I dropped 6' with a lean and then another 6' I'd still be 2' off the ground then what??? I suppose as long as I keep the side wall off the ground ???? I need to ask.

 

[Bird]

Hi all

We don't have taxes like that in Australia. The unimproved value of the land is taxed is reassessed by the State Govt every several years and that value is what the local Council base their land rates on. I could put up a castle and it would just need Council building approval but it would not change the rates I pay. Emigrate to Australia guys

Mike

That sounds good, Mike. In Texas, each county has an "appraisal district" that determines the value of all taxable property in the county. They have to repeat their appraisal process of all property at least once every 3 years, but may do it more often if they wish. Some counties do it every 2 years, while some, such as the county in which I live, do it every year. They use "mass appraisals" for large numbers of property, but if they find out (through observation, building permits, etc.) that you've made any kind of "improvement" to the property, you can expect that next appraisal to be higher.

 

[jinman]

I added a bathroom and more raised decks to my house over the last few years. Last fall, the assessor stopped by to look over the improvements. I cooperated with her and even told her exactly what the improvements cost. I said I was planning on building a pole barn shop. She volunteered that if I didn't pour concrete before she appraised it, she would consider it a barn. If it has a concrete floor, it's a workshop at higher rates. I thought that was nice of her to tell me.

 

[ustmd]

I added a bathroom and more raised decks to my house over the last few years. Last fall, the assessor stopped by to look over the improvements. I cooperated with her and even told her exactly what the improvements cost. I said I was planning on building a pole barn shop. She volunteered that if I didn't pour concrete before she appraised it, she would consider it a barn. If it has a concrete floor, it's a workshop at higher rates. I thought that was nice of her to tell me.

I have had pretty positive interactions with my last few appraisers as well (maybe it is a Texas thing). A few years ago, he came and actually measure the horse barn (built by a previous owner in 1999) and discovered that it was 100 sq ft smaller than their records. He also classified my workshop (with concrete floors and stick built) as a class 2 storage building. They have always been quick to answer questions and provide advice--for example on the workshop he told me if that I added a bathroom, he would have to change the classification which woould increase the tax rate, so I still walk the 30 ft to the barn.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

---for example on the workshop he told me if that I added a bathroom, he would have to change the classification which woould increase the tax rate, so I still walk the 30 ft to the barn.

That's why I just go behind the barn.

If you protest your assesment in Texas, I have heard they will ask you how much insurance coverage you have on the structure. Hard to argue the shed is only worth $1,000.00 when you have it insured for $50,000.00.

 

[dave1949]

That sounds good, Mike. In Texas, each county has an "appraisal district" that determines the value of all taxable property in the county. They have to repeat their appraisal process of all property at least once every 3 years, but may do it more often if they wish. Some counties do it every 2 years, while some, such as the county in which I live, do it every year. They use "mass appraisals" for large numbers of property, but if they find out (through observation, building permits, etc.) that you've made any kind of "improvement" to the property, you can expect that next appraisal to be higher.

That's pretty much the way it works here too. Towns are required by state law to keep their valuations within 80% of market value, most stay in the 90% - 100% range.

Our state aid to education amounts received are tied-in with local valuation, population and number of students. The state likes to keep everyone playing fair, a low local valuation will increase state education aid. Education costs dwarf all other budget categories.

Maine law allows towns to assess personal property tax in addition to real property tax. I know of only one area town that does that. Of course it turns into some very ugly arguments. I can't imagine an assessor pawing through someone's personal belongings and putting a value on them. I think it was a common practice in colonial days.