If homeowners don't pay their property taxes, they can lose their homes in a tax sale.There are many options for avoiding a tax sale.You can object to your tax assessments if you think they're too high or you can ask for a reduction in your taxes.You should be able to pay the taxes before the sale date.If your home is sold at an auction, you have the option of getting it back or having a judge set aside the tax sale.If you have questions about this area of law, you should seek legal advice.Legal help at a low cost is available.
Step 1: You should get a copy of the assessment.
You can request a copy of the assessment from the county assessor's office.You may be able to get a copy.You should be able to view it at the office, and in some counties you can look them up online.There is a limited amount of time to object.Before you get a notice of a tax sale for delinquent taxes, you probably have to begin the appeal process.You should start the process before a tax sale happens.You should object to the assessment as soon as possible if you know you can't make your property tax payments.
Step 2: Do you know your property tax assessment?
You should study it carefully after you receive your assessment.You can challenge structural errors.For example, check the following information: the lot size of the room, the number of rooms, and the type of fixture in the home.
Step 3: Determine if the value is inflated.
If you think the home has been valued too high, you can object to the tax assessment.To find out if you have a valid argument, look at how much you paid for the home.You may have paid $150,000 last year.The value of the home should not have gone up too much.The price could be inflated if you see the home is worth $200,000.Whether you made improvements.The value should not spike suddenly if you haven't made any improvements to the property.Property values have been declining.The property might not be valued every year.They might only value it for two or three years.Your property's value might decline if the real estate market goes south.
Step 4: The value should be compared to neighboring homes.
You should be able to see the tax bill for other homes in your neighborhood.It's important to check properties that have the same square footage and age.If you see that your bill is out of line with the bill for comparable properties, you have a strong case for challenging the tax assessment.Consider the differences between your house and these homes.It is possible that your house is in a less desirable location.You could argue that your valuation should be lower.
Step 5: The tax assessment can be appealed.
How to appeal should be explained in your assessment letter.If you have questions, read your letter and call the assessor.You need to write an appeal letter or fill out forms and submit them to the board.If you need help, you should talk to a lawyer.For more information, see appeal property taxes.
Step 6: There are reasons for the abatement.
Many counties have a process for collecting taxes.Some or all of the taxes will be forgiven.An appeal is not an appeal in which you argue that the assessment was incorrect.Abatement can be granted if a parcel of property is going through a court process and no one knows who the ultimate owner will be, or if you have nothing left over to pay property taxes.
Step 7: Meet with a lawyer.
If you are trying to get an abatement, you will benefit from legal advice.It is best to have a lawyer help you from the beginning, but if you decide to appeal, you will definitely need help.
Step 8: Realize that abatement is up to you.
The board doesn't have to grant an abatement.It has the power to do so.The town might become bankrupt if the board gives everyone an exemption.They don't award an abatement to everyone.Some states might be more willing to approve an abatement than others.Vermont doesn't award abatement to people with high incomes.Maine might.
Step 9: Supporting documentation should be gathered.
The board wants to see documents that support your claim.You should try to find copies of medical bills and medical records for family illness.There are copies of court records that show who the owner is.Tracking poverty is showing what you spend your money on.There are copies of the mistake on the listing.
Step 10: There is a request for abatement.
Tell the clerk at your county office that you would like to have your taxes reduced.You need to fill out a form.Go to the clerk's website and complete the form.Before you submit the form, make sure to keep a copy of your records.Supporting documentation should be submitted if requested.
Step 11: Attend a hearing.
The board should meet to consider your application.The meeting can be held in public or in private.It's mandatory in some states for you to answer questions.You don't have to attend in other states.
Step 12: Receive the decision from the board.
The board should give you a decision in writing and explain why you weren't approved or denied.Depending on where you live, the timelines will be different.If you don't understand the decision, read it carefully.You should call and check if you don't hear from the board in 60 days.
Step 13: Think about an appeal.
You may be able to appeal the board's decision.They should tell you how to file an appeal.You will usually write a letter to a higher authority and ask them to review the decision.Your rejection letter should tell you where to send the appeal letter.There may be more than one appeal available.If you are rejected again, you could appeal to a higher board.
Step 14: Come up with the cash.
To avoid the tax sale, you have to pay your taxes.When the county government schedules the sale, you will get a notice and a deadline to pay your taxes.You can try to come up with the money by dipping into your savings.You don't want to lose your house if you save money for a rainy day.Taking money from your savings is something you should think about.Sell bonds, stock, etc.Sell financial instruments to raise money.Ask your friends or family for a loan.You can get a loan from a friend or family member if you don't owe a lot of money.Signing a payment agreement is important.You can request a loan from the bank.You may be able to get a loan from a bank or a property tax lender.Check their interest rates.You can get a loan from a government agency.If you qualify, you can get a loan from an agency.If you have no bankruptcies or liens on the property, you can get a loan in Baltimore.You have two years to repay the loan.
Step 15: Ask for a payment plan.
It is possible that your taxing authority will agree to a payment plan.Call and ask.You can stretch out the repayment of the back taxes with a payment plan.
Step 16: Pay before the deadline.
Check the deadline for paying and take out your notice.The process of getting the house back becomes more complicated if you don't pay before the deadline.You need to get a receipt.If you paid your taxes in full, you should get a receipt from the tax assessor to show it.
Step 17: You should receive notice of the sale.
The tax sale is held by your county government.The county doesn't need a court's permission to hold a sale, but it does need to give you a deadline to pay your taxes or the sale will be stopped.The value of the taxes and interest will be the starting bids at the sale.
Step 18: The type of sale should be identified.
There are two different types of tax sales.Tax deed sale is the type of sale you need to identify.The county sells the deed to your house.The person who buys the property gets the title and deed.You have a right to redeem the property.There is a tax certificate sale.The county government doesn't sell your house at the tax sale in some states.It sells a tax certificate.This is the title on your property.If you don't pay your taxes, the person who buys the certificate can go into court and start the foreclosure process.
Step 19: There is a notice of sale.
The sale should be notified after the county holds the auction.You should be notified in the mail.If you don't get anything, call the tax office.How long do you have to wait to redeem the tax certificate or deed?
Step 20: The tax certificate needs to be paid before the deadline.
You still own the home after the sale of the tax certificate.There is a limited amount of time to pay off the liens.The tax certificate can be redeemed.You've saved your house if you do.The owner of the liens can start foreclosure if you don't.The notice you receive after the tax sale should spell out the deadline for paying off the liens.
Step 21: After a tax deed sale, redeem your house.
You can redeem property after a tax deed sale.The law gives you a certain amount of time to pay the new owner the amount they paid at the auction, plus interest.You get the deed back when you pay off that amount.The redemption period is usually one to three years after the sale.You should double check with a lawyer.The redemption period in some states ends before the sale.
Step 22: Set aside a tax sale.
It is possible to invalidate a tax sale.Before you file a suit, you should meet with a lawyer.You can set aside a tax sale if you paid the taxes you didn't owe, the tax process was faulty, or you failed to give adequate notice of the sale.
Step 23: You should check to see if you qualify for legal aid.
You don't have a lot of money to spend on a lawyer because you're having trouble paying your property taxes.You may be eligible for legal aid.Legal aid organizations give free or low cost legal help to people who are less than 25% of the federal poverty level.It is important to start as soon as possible because the process can take time.For a family of three, the income limit is $25,200.
Step 24: Legal aid is available.
The Legal Services Corporation has a website where you can find the nearest legal aid office.Find Legal Aid can be found in the upper right corner.You will be asked if you have a zip code.You can find contact information for legal aid organizations on the website.
Step 25: Legal aid can be applied for.
Before you can get help, you have to apply for legal aid.The application process needs to be done to make sure that your income is not too low and that the legal aid office handles your legal issue regularly.Before applying, you should gather the following information: sources of all income, such as wages, tips, child support, alimony, disability insurance, Social Security, etc.How much money you get from each source every month, and how much of it is in your bank accounts, as well as your home.
Step 26: You can get a referral to an attorney.
You might not be eligible for legal aid.If that's the case, you should get a referral to a private attorney.You can get in touch with your local or state bar association.When you have someone's name, call them and ask to schedule a consultation.
Step 27: Do you know if the attorney provides unbundled legal services?
You may not be able to afford a lawyer to handle the case from start to finish.In most states lawyers can offer unbundled legal services.The lawyer only does the work you give them.You can either hire a lawyer to draft an appeal letter for you or you can handle the rest of the case.You may be able to pay for regular coaching from the lawyer.Unbundled legal services can help keep your legal costs low while giving you the help you need.