My wife's chickens are official taxpayers

[Mike Costello]

I got a call about a week ago from the county tax collector. She wanted to know the size of the chicken coop I built last summer, length and width. So, I gave her the dimensions, and then she asked me what part was run area and roost area. Now, knowing where all this was heading, I then pressed her for some direct answers. She became vague, just saying they had to add the coop as an additional structure on my property. She wouldn't quite come out with it, but it amounted to an increse in my property taxes. Sure enough, I got my tax bill in the mail and it had gone up by a few dollars. You gotta love the government; they probably waste more money prowling the lonely county roads looking for "improvements" than what it's worth!

Breaking News: Mom's chickens outed by sharp eyed County employee in Missouri--pay up or it's the stew pot for you!

 

[Duffster]

I got a call about a week ago from the county tax collector. She wanted to know the size of the chicken coop I built last summer, length and width. So, I gave her the dimensions, and then she asked me what part was run area and roost area. Now, knowing where all this was heading, I then pressed her for some direct answers. She became vague, just saying they had to add the coop as an additional structure on my property. She wouldn't quite come out with it, but it amounted to an increse in my property taxes. Sure enough, I got my tax bill in the mail and it had gone up by a few dollars. You gotta love the government; they probably waste more money prowling the lonely county roads looking for "improvements" than what it's worth!

Breaking News: Mom's chickens outed by sharp eyed County employee in Missouri--pay up or it's the stew pot for you!

Is it a permanent structure?

 

[mjarrels]

Odd how local Government works. A few years ago, I went round and round with a local government offical to get a electrical permit for my garage, she wanted to know how many outlets I wanted. Found out the permit allowed 20. Wasted an hour with her.

mark

 

[Luremaker]

I have heard of municipalities using Google street view to look for upgrades made to homes without permits so that they could go after the home owners for "lost" monies.

 

[madpogue]

I got a call about a week ago from the county tax collector. She wanted to know the size of the chicken coop I built last summer, length and width. So, I gave her the dimensions, and then she asked me what part was run area and roost area. Now, knowing where all this was heading, I then pressed her for some direct answers. She became vague, just saying they had to add the coop as an additional structure on my property. She wouldn't quite come out with it, but it amounted to an increse in my property taxes. Sure enough, I got my tax bill in the mail and it had gone up by a few dollars. You gotta love the government; they probably waste more money prowling the lonely county roads looking for "improvements" than what it's worth!

Breaking News: Mom's chickens outed by sharp eyed County employee in Missouri--pay up or it's the stew pot for you!

Now if only you could pay with, er, one of the by-products the chickens produce, that would be apropos in more ways than one....

 

[Mike Costello]

Is it a permanent structure?

No, it's not. It was never designed to be one--on the idea it could easily be removed if we decided not to keep chickens anymore. I told her it was not designed to be a permanent structure, however, she just said to call her if it was destroyed or removed. Bottom line-- they're not going to give up any revenue unless myself or Mother Nature change things. Mike.

 

[Mike Costello]

Now if only you could pay with, er, one of the by-products the chickens produce, that would be apropos in more ways than one....

Yeah, that thought did cross my mind, but then I might be prosecuted under the Federal terrorism laws (you know--dangerous fertilizer components)!

More Breaking News: Suspicious bag of manure left on county court house steps--Two Buff Orpington and One Barred Rock chickens observed fleeing the scene!

 

[rekees4300]

"chickens are official taxpayers"

Don't all taxpayers get clucked?

 

[rjkobbeman]

I got a call about a week ago from the county tax collector. She wanted to know the size of the chicken coop I built last summer, length and width. So, I gave her the dimensions, and then she asked me what part was run area and roost area. Now, knowing where all this was heading, I then pressed her for some direct answers. She became vague, just saying they had to add the coop as an additional structure on my property. She wouldn't quite come out with it, but it amounted to an increse in my property taxes. Sure enough, I got my tax bill in the mail and it had gone up by a few dollars. You gotta love the government; they probably waste more money prowling the lonely county roads looking for "improvements" than what it's worth!

Breaking News: Mom's chickens outed by sharp eyed County employee in Missouri--pay up or it's the stew pot for you!

Things are just getting out of control... This seems crazy to me.

 

[MossRoad]

No, it's not. It was never designed to be one--on the idea it could easily be removed if we decided not to keep chickens anymore. I told her it was not designed to be a permanent structure, however, she just said to call her if it was destroyed or removed. Bottom line-- they're not going to give up any revenue unless myself or Mother Nature change things. Mike.

Do they tax you for yard barns?