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Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Each year I try to grieve my taxes. They are around 8k, 7k with STAR.
They recently told me that my house is being taxed as if it were worth X amount, which is about 30K LESS than what I purchased my house for.
They say that the asking or purchasing price for my hosue is/was more than the assessed value.
They are correct; I DID overpay for my house but I didn't mind because I felt it was a fair price.
Does this mean I will never be able to grieve my taxes?
I guess I don't understand why what I paid for my house has anything to do with me trying to grieve my taxes.
Or, are they basically saying that my current taxes are appropriate for my house as if my house was the assessed value (which is a lot lower than what I paid)? and that I shouldn't complain?
Can someone explain. I am stupid when it comes to this stuff.
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Posted 3/27/12 3:32 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate |
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
If you can prove your house is not worth the taxes that's how you get awarded a discount when you grieve.
I proved my house was the crappiest on the block and worth less. Well not really but my house is smaller and has less upgrades.
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| Posted 3/27/12 4:03 PM |
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Posted by Blu-ize
If you can prove your house is not worth the taxes that's how you get awarded a discount when you grieve.
I proved my house was the crappiest on the block and worth less. Well not really but my house is smaller and has less upgrades.
Interesting. How did you prove this?
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| Posted 3/27/12 4:28 PM |
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DC HJJ M
Member since 8/07 3732 total posts
Name:
Crystal
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Posted by Blu-ize
If you can prove your house is not worth the taxes that's how you get awarded a discount when you grieve.
I proved my house was the crappiest on the block and worth less. Well not really but my house is smaller and has less upgrades.
ya see this is our situation. my house is def the smallest and least upgraded house in our neighborhood and we pay 12k. I really think we shouldnt be paying so much. Mark Lewis denied us as well. how do you do this on your own? is there a lot involved?
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| Posted 3/27/12 4:28 PM |
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hanna7636
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 921 total posts
Name:
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
I live in Huntington and used a tax grievance company/attorney. She told me she had to find three comparable houses in my neighborhood that sold for less than what the town says my house is worth.
Your town might be different though.
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| Posted 3/27/12 5:15 PM |
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-Lisa-
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Member since 5/05 6530 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Posted by cncforever
Or, are they basically saying that my current taxes are appropriate for my house as if my house was the assessed value (which is a lot lower than what I paid)? and that I shouldn't complain?
That is what they're saying.
Its not your purchase price that matters so much as what its worth today. Sounds like they're saying the assessed value is lower than the current market value, and therefore you don't have cause to grieve.
(taxes are based on assessed value. So if the house is assessed higher than market value, you can lower your taxes by grieving).
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| Posted 3/27/12 6:41 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Posted by -Lisa-
Posted by cncforever
Or, are they basically saying that my current taxes are appropriate for my house as if my house was the assessed value (which is a lot lower than what I paid)? and that I shouldn't complain?
That is what they're saying.
Its not your purchase price that matters so much as what its worth today. Sounds like they're saying the assessed value is lower than the current market value, and therefore you don't have cause to grieve.
(taxes are based on assessed value. So if the house is assessed higher than market value, you can lower your taxes by grieving).
Exactly this. Grieving your taxes is actually a misnomer. What you are actually grieving is your assessment. Your assessment is based upon the formula of market value X residential assessment ratio = assessment. In order to win a reduction in your assessment you must prove than the market value of your house is less than the town says it is.
You cannot base your argument on the fact that you feel you are simply paying too much in taxes.
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| Posted 3/28/12 1:26 PM |
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Posted by Mill188
Posted by -Lisa-
Posted by cncforever
Or, are they basically saying that my current taxes are appropriate for my house as if my house was the assessed value (which is a lot lower than what I paid)? and that I shouldn't complain?
That is what they're saying.
Its not your purchase price that matters so much as what its worth today. Sounds like they're saying the assessed value is lower than the current market value, and therefore you don't have cause to grieve.
(taxes are based on assessed value. So if the house is assessed higher than market value, you can lower your taxes by grieving).
Exactly this. Grieving your taxes is actually a misnomer. What you are actually grieving is your assessment. Your assessment is based upon the formula of market value X residential assessment ratio = assessment. In order to win a reduction in your assessment you must prove than the market value of your house is less than the town says it is.
You cannot base your argument on the fact that you feel you are simply paying too much in taxes.
Got it. I figured this time they'd say let's go ahead and try to grieve them, because the house next door to us recently sold and was assessed for less than what my home was assessed for and the house across the street from us was just sold as a short sale for about 100k less than my house was assessed for.
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| Posted 3/28/12 1:59 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
A short sale, like a foreclosure, is not a "good comp" for tax certiorari purposes.
Good comps v bad comps get confusing when it comes to valuation purposes.
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| Posted 3/28/12 2:12 PM |
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
I tend to think that Mark Lewis is pretty accurate about the likelihood of success. My mom submits to them annually and they did not want to take her case for many years but they just handled a case successfully for her.
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| Posted 3/29/12 12:20 AM |
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seeinstarz
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/08 382 total posts
Name:
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Re: Keep getting denied for a tax grievance by Mark Lewis
Try another company..my parents kept getting denied by him and they used someone else and were successful. You have nothing to lose, most of them are set up the same way you only pay if you win.
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| Posted 3/29/12 9:15 AM |
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