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Two Michigan "Tax" Items...

By
Real Estate Agent


Amnesty:

For any Michigan residents who have NOT paid outstanding State Taxes; Now is the time to take advantage of:
Penalty Free Payments;
...there is a program in Michigan to enable residents' ability to pay back taxes or late taxes:
    "Michigan Tax Amnesty";
...residents can take advantage of this program that is in effect 'until June 30, 2011;
...the TV ads & Posters being presented in the state cover some of the "Reasons" for non-payment;
    a.  Poster;  Dog legs = wording " My Dog ate it" [paperwork]
    b.  Poster: man in white shirt, Blue tie & 1 pen in pocket = wording "I couldn't find a Pen" ;
    c.  Poster:  woman standing on chair, looking at papers on the floor = wording "I have  a fear of paperwork";

Come on Michiganders [who have resisted paying your share--Get with it; Lose the Middle=School homework excuses;  Do what it is that we all have to do; OR  see you in the Courts.


                     


[  We will take ALL the helpers out there:]    

Property Tax Appeals:
according to the Detroit News [ www.detnews.com  / May 12, 2011 / Paul Egan / Section A / page 1 A
"Property tax appeals overwhelm state court"
...41,000cases pending;
...municipalities concerned about big refund totals;
...many date back "Years";
...the Michigan Tax Tribunal's chairman-Kimbal Smith III took over in March 2011;
...the backlog was often due to poor management & not just to a spike in cases filed;
...all 2010 cases were finally "docketed" in the past few weeks;
...the Tribunal handles all types--residential, commercial, agricultural, & industrial cases.

These numbers have increased over the years since 2004; they have doubled since 2008.
A stark statement considering it includes ALL types of property / property taxes.

Another  reality is that some municipalities have NOT set-aside $$$$ to cover as many successful cases; should the predicted 1/2 of cases be settled in favor of the property owner--some municipalities will not be prepared for the total amount of dollars needed.

29,000 of the cases pending are from individual property owners--the "small claims" appeals that are typically heard
informally by a local referee.  the rest [11,000  now] are heard before one of the seven Tribunal Members.

Some of these cases go back to 2008.  The 2008 assessments were called into question--some not yet addressed--
let alone settled.

Mr Smith has set the goal to process the 'small claims' within 14 months that previously took 32-36 Months.     
The tribunal is also adding hearing officers moving from 11 to 24 such.  each claims officer [hearing] will see 14 cases per sitting which is up from preciously set 10 per sitting.
He has tasked the 7 tribunal judges and 2 administrative law judges to also assist with hearing some "small claims".

The new management style of Mr Kimbal Smith has been evidenced by his ending what he called "flyspecking settlement deals" ; he is quoted as saying  "...the tribunal has nitpicked stipulations, either being very slow in approving them or not approving them at all"

Since his arrival to the position..settlements are already up sharply, thus avoiding the need for hearings and therefore saving time and resources.     

Steps forward in Michigan;  processes are changing;

Posted by


Live, Learn, Love, & always remember to Laugh!

 
a Keyless start....a Forward Looking VIEW from the DASH; Join the RIDE 


Barb & Sal

Comments (6)

Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Barb - this post would certainly light up Barries day ..... he firmly believes that everyone should appeal their property assessment every time it changes if they have any question at all about the contrived valuation put on their property by the assessment people.

May 14, 2011 08:22 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

I've helped in providing many taxpayers with ammunition to appeal their taxes in Little Egg Harbor...what's fair is fair.  The government rode on the wave of record sale prices for new homes, and assessed values!  Now let government make due with what have (or have not)...saving like we all are (or we all should be...cus that rainy day will come!)

You as a teacher must appeciate 'my dog ate it'! 

May 14, 2011 08:55 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Kathy...assessments seem to be high on the list of culprits when it comes to the Tax Bill we receive; however, just saw that Trulia put in print that our Home--as it is listed--has a Tax Bill / assessment of $625.00---boy are they far from the actual; can't wait until another offer quotes that--Sorry ! They are wrong.

the new tribunal -Head of--seems to be moving along the correct track here. For those who have high tax assessments/ Bills he will get the Tribunal moving toward settlements.  thanks for your comment. Have a great Sunday.

Barb

May 14, 2011 01:39 PM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Laura....we never went that route AND this tax year our assessments were lowered accordingly. Someone in our municipality 'saw the light' it appears.  Perhaps they will work the system so when a property changes owners-then the tax will be raised.  That is how is worked before.  Don't know that other areas of Michigan did the same.  We are not questioning that, either.  Best to leave it alone;
As to "the dog ate it" never heard that excuse in all my years of dealing with homework or projects; but our last Beagle-Basset-Bruno DID take items from around the house and buried it in the back year.  Found some dirty homework, notes, tools, & Lexi's [our gentle dog] toy 'baby' all in a pile in the backyard.  School didn't believe it, but it was true.  LOL
thanks for your comment. Have a great Sunday.

Barb  

May 14, 2011 01:45 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Barb, I love your photo's and fun choice of words! I don't want to pay taxes as much as the next guy and in this economy it does hurt, but we all must do our share. I know I color my own hair, polish my own nails, do my own housework and cooking....but others find the $ for those things and NOT their taxes. I'm not standing for their excuses, get it paid! And as for those taxing us...MAKE IT FAIR!

May 15, 2011 01:59 PM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Ellen...good for you & may those who so do stand up and be proud;
When this was posted, I did not know that the Start day was that same date.  In days past, we used to call them "scoff-laws", but now we offer these type programs. Hopefully, this will be the last of the cleaning up freebies; we need to get back to being & promoting personal responsibility for all.
 BTW; received email--say Hi to her.   Have a great week.

Barb
  

May 16, 2011 07:45 AM