property tax assessments on lakes - 02/21/09 02:24 PM
I hope this is appropriate information for the Pond Boss Forum:
I attended a property tax workshop last week with about 150 other people. The information presented by Assessors in a couple of Michigan counties was very informative; I was able to get my questions regarding water property answered by them and I was surprised by what I learned, and wish I knew it five years ago. Surely the codes/laws are different in every state, so I don't know if this information is good for non-Michigan residents, but it is worth checking out if you have a similar situation to mine.
I learned:
1. If you live on a problem section of a lake (a cove where everything washes up, etc.) you qualify for a reduced assessment.
2. If you live on a lake and the entire lake has a major water quality issue, everyone on that lake qualifies for a reduced assessment.
3. If you live on a lake and have a storm drain easement on your property, you qualify for a reduced assessment.
4. If your property has a designated "flood plain" area, you qualify for a reduced property assessment. Currently FEMA is redoing flood plain maps areas in Michigan, so this is something to keep up on.
Other non water issues that could be helpful to others:
If your income dropped because of loss of job/spouse etc., there are hardship provisions that may apply to you.
In Michigan, the assessor is using sales data through Sept. 30, 2008, the homeowner can use data through Dec. 31, 2008.
I attended a property tax workshop last week with about 150 other people. The information presented by Assessors in a couple of Michigan counties was very informative; I was able to get my questions regarding water property answered by them and I was surprised by what I learned, and wish I knew it five years ago. Surely the codes/laws are different in every state, so I don't know if this information is good for non-Michigan residents, but it is worth checking out if you have a similar situation to mine.
I learned:
1. If you live on a problem section of a lake (a cove where everything washes up, etc.) you qualify for a reduced assessment.
2. If you live on a lake and the entire lake has a major water quality issue, everyone on that lake qualifies for a reduced assessment.
3. If you live on a lake and have a storm drain easement on your property, you qualify for a reduced assessment.
4. If your property has a designated "flood plain" area, you qualify for a reduced property assessment. Currently FEMA is redoing flood plain maps areas in Michigan, so this is something to keep up on.
Other non water issues that could be helpful to others:
If your income dropped because of loss of job/spouse etc., there are hardship provisions that may apply to you.
In Michigan, the assessor is using sales data through Sept. 30, 2008, the homeowner can use data through Dec. 31, 2008.
:DI'll be making homemade frenchbread,fried oyster po-boys and nibbling on mudbugs this afternoon,so the beer thing is madatory 