property tax assesment increase

[terracore]

I got our new property tax assessments today. Apparently the county decided that all the "lost value" from the eruption flowed into everybody else's lots.

Has anybody ever successfully appealed one of these, and if so, any suggestion?

[mikewj]

Might want to contact a R/E Broker to get comps for recent sales and those of a year ago. I was told that the County numbers were prepared prior to the Ainaloa debacle and are unrealistically high. My perception is that sales prices have dropped since last year. Raising the alleged sales value is less blatant than raising the tax rate, but results in a bottom line increase in taxes paid.
County wants to grab as much cash as possible, probably thinking that owners will be suckered into believing their property values have increased.

[LazyLehua]

Us too...both land and property values increased! Our assessment increased $12,400...didn’t we just have an eruption which desecrated property values?

Stacey
Living the life in Cali and Hawai‘i

[Rob Tucker]

Everyone should challenge their appraisal. There is a process and as a group we can make them choke on the process.

[Rob Tucker]

You could send them a note saying to bill me. Multiply that request by 10,000. Or send them a check for $5 and see what happens.

[kalakoa]

Appeal form.You have to pay $50.00.

My taxes went up about 5%, or less than half the appeal fee.

County assesses the value, decides the classification, and sets the rate. They needed more money, they got more money.

Like all the tax increases ... I wouldn't mind if it meant getting more services, or (in the case of highway 132) any services at all.

[leilanidude]

Mine went from about $350k to zero (due to the eruption) to the new one of $84k. I guess I should be happy.

[Obie]

Appeal form :

https://tinyurl.com/yx97eact

You have to Pay $50.00.

[Obie]

"Or send them a check for $5 and see what happens."

They charge a penalty and interest.
Eventually tax auction.

[mikewj]

Copy of letter sent to District 4 rep, Ashley Kierkewitz:

I live in HPP, and recently received notice of proposed increase in property taxes for next year.

My understanding is that these numbers were formulated prior to the Ainaloa eruption and the devastating property losses which followed.

I have been advised by several Real Estate professionals that sales of homes in Puna are fetching lower prices since the eruption, yet the County is seeking to raise taxes based on a fiction of increased property values.

Please take this matter under advisement and let the public know where you stand on this increased assessment. It seems that the increase in taxes is designed to cover the income shortfall which would otherwise reduce the Mayor's spendable income. To perpetuate the fiction of increased home values is disingenuous at the least, and possibly fraudulent in its intent.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I await your reply