Posts Tagged ‘Tax Foreclosure’
Non-Payment of Property Taxes – Consequences to be Faced
The property taxes are the largest bills that are received every year. Property taxes are paid in order to fund the local government for necessary programs such as schools, and for maintaining roads in the locality in which we live in. What if the bills are too high and one cannot afford to pay the tax this year?
First thing to be done is to look into the assessor of taxes’ valuation of the home. Whatever is determined by the assessor of taxes will have to be paid as property tax. However if you think that your home has been valued more than the required amount, you can make an appeal to reconsider the valuation. If the appeal is in your favor then you will need to pay only the lower and newer valuation for your home. This will bring down your tax bills greatly.
Next, see to that if there are exemptions you are not taking. In many places, there is a homestead exemption that can be taken on your primary home. This will definitely reduce your bills. However if you own more that one property, then you will be able to take the homestead exemption only on you main residence. This homestead exemption can be taken at the local tax office if they are permitted. There is also a hardship exemption but it is offered on a yearly basis.
Also you need to request for a plan of payment for all you properties. Most of the local offices will give you the plan of payment that allows you to pay the taxes over a period of time. In some places, you can pay the taxes in installments until you have completely paid the taxes without needing to make a request for a plan of payment. This can be done to prevent tax foreclosure of your property. Once your property is tax foreclosed then it is not possible for a plan payment to be set up.
If the property taxes are not paid on the due dates it will lead to accrue penalties and interest will start to build up on the unpaid balances even though you have a payment plan. If the taxes are not paid a long period even after the extended time then your property will be tax foreclosed. Different states handle these foreclosures differently. However in all states there is particular point at which the property is seized. Then they sell it off to the local government to in order to pay the delinquent tax. Mostly the government will work with these tax payers to ensure that the properties are not seized.