When we did our poll in July (see link above) we found out that 80% of respondents reported an increase in property tax, 14% had a decrease, and 6% were unchanged. But we had no information regarding a breakdown. In reviewing my own final tax bill for 2015, I find that the overall tax rate had gone down from 2.66 in 2014 to 2.19 now. In looking more closely, I have a 38% increase in the land appraisal, but an 11% decrease in the improvements (i.e. the house) appraisal.
We would be interested in knowing if any of you tried to get your tax bill decreased (I assume nobody asked for an increase,) and if you did, were you successful? Anecdotes about this would be of interest on Blogfinger.
Do any of you have information that your fellow Grovers might find of interest regarding the property tax issue?
LEE WILEY
Yes, Sea Zee, “this is crazy,” as you say, and the more tax information we uncover in our building the greater the seeming injustice. An add to this, our outrageous ground rents (post 2002 new constructions or remodeled and re-classified structures), and we have a mix that is deeply discouraging. So, many of us are plagued by the thought that the re-evaluations to new market value assessment was simply a ploy to gouge more taxes out of some homeowners. Or, is there something terribly wrong with the mathematics?
I agree with See Zee. In the last revaluation, my taxes tripled. This latest revaluation increased my taxes by more than $1,000 plus they went up over $1,000 for the previous year. This despite the fact that I live next to a property which has been abandoned for more than five years.
We tried to appeal given the fact that we had made no improvements since the last assessment and we have a derelict abandoned property next door that would have to have an impact on resale. But we got nowhere. The biggest increase was on our land rather than on improvements.
In California, homeowners can be reassessed only upon sale or other transfer or new construction; otherwise, the Assessor is limited to a 2% annual increase in value.
In California, homeowners can be reassessed only upon sale or other transfer or new construction; otherwise, the Assessor is limited to a 2% annual increase in value.
I do not see an end in sight which means that we will either have to leave our home in the town I was born in or reverse mortgage it just to pay the taxes.
Simon: What is going to happen to the older residents that live on a budget? My taxes went up by $2,200. I now pay $10,000 per year.
This is for a small cottage 560 sq. ft. with a easement on a half lot and 2 buildings around it that are falling down. I spoke to a nice gentlemen at the tax office (NOT BERNIE) who stated that he will try to help butI have not seen any changes to date.
It’s sad that you work hard all your life to pay your house off and then when life is to get easer, you must now struggle to pay taxes.
I DO NOT MIND TO PAY MY FAIR SHARE BUT THIS IS CRAZY.
I hope this comment is not too far off topic and it touches on another festering yet unresolved issue and leave it up to the editor to place it.
My taxes increased almost $2,000 on the new assessment which is based on market value (according to the tax dept.) which is less than what I paid for my cottage 8 years ago.
It’s bad enough that Broadway STILL floods over the center median and the sidwewalks, but last Sunday brought to light the following:
9:30 AM Sunday morning. Husband needs to use car for errand; within moments car pulls into spot and unloads kids, beach gear and cooler. At same time 4 adults walk by pushing beach cart and I politely
inquire if they are headed to beach because beach closed till 12:320 pm.. They reply:”Yes,we know, we are going to Bradley Beach.”
End result:taxpayer can’t park, Ocean Grove NOT receiving day pass income, and no restaurants benefit – the cooler took care of that. For what I pay in taxes it would be nice to park my car in front of my home and be able to get in or out when it rains without having to wear rainboots or take off my shoes,to wade to my front steps.
The owners in our building are just beginning to get their tax bills, and comparisons are being made and shared. Most are as perplexed, shocked and annoyed as others around town. The few that I have talked with have had significant increases.
My own total tax went up 19.5%. We are in the process of gathering other tax numbers and information. I do not know what my rate. Where on the tax bill is it found? Has anybody considered the irony of being assessed and taxed property that is leased. I suppose that is in the best tradition of tenant farming.
Our land tax rose by 30%. And since we are in one of those condos (post 2002) after the change in ground rent rules, we are paying exorbitant ground rents that are as onerous as some of these property tax increases.
Susan: Normally I don’t accept links all by themselves because I want our commenters to express their own ideas. But you are right about this article from the National Review. Thank you. I recommend that every Blogfinger reader click on Susan’s link.
–Paul, Editor @Blogfinger
My 2013 total assessment was $250,000 . Appealed . 2014 total assessment was lowered to $200,000 . Then new 2015 assessment shot up to $371,900 . Nearly double ! Appealed. They did not budge even one cent. Assessment stands at $371,900. Even with small tax rate decease my taxes went up over $3000 a year !
This is a very well written article that I read today about NJ property taxes http://www.nationalreview.com/article/421625/states-new-jersey-south-taxes