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The Indiana Department of Local Government and Finance has signed off on Marion County’s reassessment figures. According to the DLGF, the reassessment resulted in a $6 billion adjustment. Officials say the township assessors missed more than $1 billion in exempt properties in addition to the $4 billion in commercial property. Overall, commercial and industrial assessments increased by 30 percent, while residential property decreased slightly more than half a percent.
The gross assessments are now their way to the County Auditor who must apply exemptions and deductions in order for you to get your final tax bill.
My colleagues at RTV 6 are reporting that you won’t get your reconciliation bill until mid-July. Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman says because of the reassessment you won’t get your Spring 2008 bill until late October/early November and you won’t get your fall bill until December.
The DLGF has a tool to help you estimate your tax bill. Click here.
Stay tuned.
March 26th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
So, just because the idiots in our government screwed up so bad I must come up 10’s of thousands of dollars by December? I don’t know how they expect the average hard working citizen to come up with that kind of money. They hem-haw around on voting for a “tax relief plan,” send us a rebate check whenever they want; not in a timely fashion but do I get time to pay my outrageous tax bill? NO. I’m sure if I don’t pay it WHEN THEY WANT IT I will be paying fines and ultimately, they could take what is mine. Oh, I forgot, they said they might set up an installment plan. Well, we don’t run our household on that credit card mentality, why should the government get to dictate to us how to pay.
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REMEMBER NOVEMBER
March 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Praise “Bob” that the lowly screws in the Legislature will soon reap what they have sown. The massive number of lawsuits over the jump in assessments is going to financially Marion County and “Ain’t-My-Man” Mitch is gonna end up with more than just egg on his face.
The roller coaster is about to begin – hold on tight!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Oops — meant to say “financially cripple Marion County” — my bad
Praise “Bob” for my foibles.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Looks like this fixed the problem. This whole tax mess was caused by under-assessment of commercial property, leaving homeowners to foot the bill.
And Abdul, it’s the Department of Local Government Finance, i.e. the finances of local government. There’s no “and” in there.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Jon, if your taxes are 10’s of thousands of dollars, you are NOT the average citizen. My assessed value is $135k in Decatur Township. According to the calculator link Abdul provided, my taxes will drop about $1000 a year. I have to say that I agree with D, it all stems in this county from the under/non assessment of commercial property. Once again, the rich DEMOCRATS taking care of their RICH friends.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
SNW, it would not be that Peterson is a major commercial property owner would it?
March 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
As Marion County goes, so goes the state. Many of Indy’s older neighborhoods will definitely get relief, from population; as people conclude that their best option is to move. Will they “get it” when the city drains from ~800K to 500K or less citizens? It’s not as hard to imagine (St. Louis, Detroit, New Orleans, etc.) as some might think. If depopulation is the plan, it’s brilliant!
March 26th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
StatlerNWaldorf,
I am the average citizen, I just happen to live in an area, Meridian Kesslar, where the tax rate is twice as much as other areas and the assessments are really screwed up. They actually call my house and the neighbors on either side of me a “neighborhood.” They don’t take into consideration any other houses in the area for assessment purposes.. Now how messed up is that? I am a prime example of house rich and cash poor. When I moved into my house I was qualified for the mortgage and taxes. With the money I made I could afford to pay the principle, interest and taxes. Well, housing prices in our area went through the roof but my income didn’t follow and my payments were the same. In 2003, when my taxes doubled, we sucked it up and payed but last year when they more than doubled again that was impossible to swallow. My income hasn’t even come close to paralleling the tax increase, let alone the general cost of living.
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My point is that even though my property is worth more than the average Hoosier, that doesn’t mean I feel the burden any less. Actually more when you consider my taxes have gone up almost 500% since 2003. That, I guarantee is more than most Hoosiers and NOBODY would be happy about that.
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March 26th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Oh, and StatlerNWaldorf, I meant to add that when you take into account that we must pay our property taxes in July, October and December I will literally pay WELL over $20,000, which is not an exaggeration. How does the government expect middle class Hoosiers to do that? (rhetorical question)
March 26th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Jon G, you must be my neighbor. Your story matches ours. And in our 3-house “neighborhood”, one of the three is literally FOUR TIMES the square footage of ours. Really fair comparison, isn’t it? Makes it virtually impossible to locate comparable properties to file an appeal — I know, because I spent weeks doing that in 2003 when our taxes also doubled the first time.
Here’s another thought on the three-bill year. Our property taxes always exceeded the allowable deductible amount on income tax. This year I suppose we’ll be able to deduct all of the “half” we paid in 2007, but in 2008, with three bills, a lot of people who normally can deduct the full amount of their property tax on their income tax forms will be doubly screwed when the total of three bills goes over the limit. And both my e-mail and “snail mail” boxes are full of communication from politicians bragging about how they solved the property tax problem with “permanent’ relief. Exactly what part of this so-called relief is permanent? Anybody?
March 26th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I fear, what WILL happen this year, will be truly frightening. “The most dangerous person in the world, is the one who has nothing left to lose.” They have pushed too many people, far past the edge.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:33 am
This had better be F#@%!&g WRONG!
I closed on my 2 bed, bath & 1/2, with original 1958 appurtenances, two years ago for $113,000.00. Which immediately jumped to $126,900.00. I also have a letter from Robman, which says that I overpaid the ‘06 bill and it would be credited (Which, it NEVER has!)Their “dog” conveniently ate my homestead and mortgage exemption too…
My new assessed value, according to the DLGF seems to be: $347,872.00.
If they want to play that game and, insist that I still have NO EXEMPTIONS, someone down there is going for a ride in my microwave! If I can find a lawyer who’s testes aren’t strictly ornamental.
The DLGF acronym must stand for:
D-aniels L-ittle G-reedy F-eckers
I can’t wait for tornado season… Maybe, I’ll get lucky, and get rid of this place? Or, some of them?
March 27th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Take it from someone in the industry–”assessed value” was and is a joke in this county.
It looks as if Washington is the only township to get it mostly right, albeit some Meridian Kessler headaches.
Look, folks: this is so important. we have to geet the baseline information correct. This task cannot be left to elected assessors on the township level. I’d be in favor of one county-wide elected assessor, to oversee professional consistent townshi-to-townshp assessments and valuations.
Center’s assessor was a freaking head janitor at IPS before he became assessor for cryin out loud. The Center Township geniuses backed him, over a qualified state-certified appraiser, because he was close to the late Congresswoman.
What a great country.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I don’t understand the “estimator”. Teresa Lubbers stood before about 300 Meridian Kessler residents and said our bills would be dropping by around 30% or more. Looks like 9% to me, according to the tax calculator on the DLGF website. Taxing district 801 was at 4.04% and is dropping to 3.67% on the low estimate and 3.79% on the high estimate. They just don’t get it.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
This is precious and priceless. Residential homeowner got a decrease in property tax bills. But the business/industrial/utilities got slammed by major increases in property taxes. Nice. Think about it. This is a form of sales tax on Indiana ALL taxpayers (or a consumption tax). How? Businesses/industry/utilities pass the property tax they have to pay onto who??? That’s right the consumers, all Indiana taxpayers. Essentially, the business community is the buffer/fallguy for the politicians who refuse to reform government spending and operations and continue to raise our taxes. NICE. On top of this and the increase in sales tax, I will spending my money in Ohio or surrounding states with a lower tax rate(s) for major purchases.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
My assessment went up $30,000. You can read about it on the HOOSIERS FOR FAIR TAXATION blog.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Jennifer, Teresa Lubbers is obviously a liar. You should get to know Steve Keltner, the Libertarian that intends to take her seat. He’s very accessible and quite brilliant too.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:57 am
It’s Tea Time !!!
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I love reading about these horrendous increases - yet see nothing except moaning and gnashing of teeth on this board.
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How much of your tax bill could you afford ‘IF’ you were NOT paying to support the ‘common schools’?
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What would government do if a few hundred (or a few thousand) private residential property owners simply refused to pay their tax bills in whole or in part because of perceived Constitutional violations?
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“What violations?” Turning to our Indiana Constitution:
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Article 8, Section 2. The Common School fund shall consist of the Congressional Township fund, and the lands belonging thereto;
The Surplus Revenue fund;
The Saline fund and the lands belonging thereto;
The Bank Tax fund, and the fund arising from the one hundred and fourteenth section of the charter of the State Bank of Indiana;
The fund to be derived from the sale of County Seminaries, and the moneys and property heretofore held for such Seminaries; from the fines assessed for breaches of the penal laws of the State; and from all forfeitures which may accrue;
All lands and other estate which shall escheat to the State, for want of heirs or kindred entitled to the inheritance;
All lands that have been, or may hereafter be, granted to the State, where no special purpose is expressed in the grant, and the proceeds of the sales thereof; including the proceeds of the sales of the Swamp Lands, granted to the State of Indiana by the act of Congress of the twenty eighth of September, eighteen hundred and fifty, after deducting the expense of selecting and draining the same;
Taxes on the property of corporations, that may be assessed by the General Assembly for common school purposes.
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Article 10, Section 1. (a) The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, both real and personal.
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Does ANYONE see ANYTHING in Article 8 that authorizes taxation of private residential property to support the common schools?
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Taxes on property IS authorized, but on WHOM? Hint: it’s the last funding method described in Article 8 Section 2.
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Now, does ANYONE believe that we are subjected to a uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation? Do we really have regulations that actually secure a just valuation of real and personal property?
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If you answer NO to any of these questions, then you must believe that our government is in violation of our supreme law, the Indiana Constitution.
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Can government simply make ANY law that they want to? Well, yes, they DO, but is it Constitutional?
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Article 1, Section 25. No law shall be passed, the taking effect of which shall be made to depend upon any authority, except as provided in this Constitution.
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Hmmmm….”No law shall be passed…”
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The simple commandment at Article 8 Section 2 begins with “The Common School fund SHALL CONSIST OF…”, followed by a listing of Constitutionally-authorized methods of supporting our common schools. Taxation of private residential property is NOT listed. Since 1-25 prohibits government from making any law upon any authority except as provided in our Constitution, then how are they getting away with taxing private residential property to support the common schools?
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Clearly, government is violating our Constitution via taxation of private residential property to support our common schools. But, what about Article 10 and property taxation?
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Recall that the method of property taxation was ruled unconstitutional back in the 1990’s? Yet, the government was still permitted to collect this tax until a new system was in place – even though it took FOUR years to do so.
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I say that the system is STILL FLAWED, and does NOT conform with the commandment at Article 10 Section 1.
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Returning to my question above; what would government do to several hundred (or several thousand) residential property owners who band together and refuse to pay the tax on Constitutional grounds?
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I suppose that men with guns could eventually come to forcibly evict people from their homes. However, the political fallout from this should give pause to our politicians and other government bureaucrats. Of course, the media would pick this up and run with it.
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This is key! It’s when the media picks up a story and runs with it that we finally get relief!
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Don’t want to risk your home? Here’s a suggestion. How about a few like-minded folks get together, and buy a cheap plot of ground, or some other useless property, THEN refuse to pay part or all of the property tax on various Constitutional grounds.
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Even if you eventually lose, your home is safe. But, think of the joy of winning the battle! The more folks that contribute to the purchase of the property, the less their financial exposure. This will open the door to yet another lawsuit, as these folks would have ‘standing’ to pursue an action in court.
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Like I said, it’s Tea Time in Indiana !!
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Robert Cole (aka Robert-NW Side)
March 28th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Robert,
Have you not heard? Not only do politicians have any regard for the Indiana State Constitution, but neither do Hoosiers. If they did, they would have not voted to amend Article 10 Section 1 in the first place. Hoosiers were duped because they do not do their homework.
The voice is still not loud enough, good Brother!
Arrow>>>—Article 10 Section 1—>
March 28th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Reporting from Perry Twp 23% increase. This is trruly a shame! I looked up some other homes in this area nicer than mine with not nearly as much of an increase. I knew this was coming, but I am still shocked for some reason. I will be back. People will not be able to pay these increases in July.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
My property assessment went up over $43,000 in Lawrence township since the last certified value was assigned.
Unfortunately, I doubt anyone would agree to pay me the increased amount.
Combine this with increased sales tax, increased local income tax, higher gas prices, higher food prices, poor investment returns, poor job market, and the actual decrease in home values regardless of the new higher tax assessments……..
The politicians don’t have enough words to get themselves out of this.
This is going to get very ugly.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
My assessment didn’t change by a plug nickel. Either the assessor is really good, or instead is just way too incompetent or worse.
Now, it’ll have to be a trip down to the assessor’s office to challenge. Thanks for making this more painful than it was already - township assessors!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I’ve looked up every house me or someone in my family has ever owned in Warren Township - they’re all the same.
Good job out there on Post road you guys. Really. Thanks for trying. My ‘05 assessment is 25% more than what I paid for the house in ‘05. You have the data. You still scr3w3d up.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:30 am
We all know what a farce the appeals process is-only sucessful if you can show errors in your home details-such as sq ft. etc. Even then they expect you to do their job by requiring you to pour over every house comparison in your area to show them the assessment is in real error. After you show the details they then will say -”Well, none of that makes a difference because we go by trending and market value” This is true story, I said if none of this makes a difference then why do we have the system and you?
There are no bargains here-your last legal assessment compared to the new improved assessment shows huge increases in assessed value. They are still holding the time bomb but it’s still ticking and they threw it.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:03 am
Article 10, Section 1. (a) The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, both real and personal.
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Last valid assessment………$360,800
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Rejected assessment……….$574,400
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New assessment…………….$644,000
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This is my assessment while my neighbors assessments, who have houses of obvious greater value, square footage and improvements have gone down (although by a very small amount, and I’m happy for them).
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UNIFORM AND EQUAL? This alone proves how screwed up and unconstitutional the whole property tax mess STILL is.
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If the housing market in a steady economy generally goes up 3-5% a year how do they figure mine has gone up almost 80%? That’s what they call “uniform and equal?”
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Time for the revolution to start.
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REMEMBER NOVEMBER