‘We just can’t take this anymore’: Montana man, 68, begs for ‘moratorium on property taxes’ after his bill reaches $8K a year just ‘to live in our own house’

moneywise ^ | June 10, 2024 | Bethan Moorcraft

[ansel12]

If you moved to the place you want to live during your life why should the government be able to raise taxes so high that eventually you have to move to a place that you don’t want to live, and do it at the time of your life when you most want the comfort and familiarity and pleasure of your home and of the location you worked to own, and with the very plan of having a great retirement there someday?

[steve86]

“Move to some place cheaper.”

When you’re 85 I’ll remind you of that. And I’ll watch with amusement as you attempt to pack and do repairs and all the things you need to do before selling your house and moving. Not to mention coming up with the $13,000/month for assisted care.

[woodbutcher1963]

I buried the entire concrete apron of a 16x32 in ground pool, plus the diving board in a couple holes at my old house. I broke it up with a jack hammer I rented from Home Depot. I paid a buddy with a backhoe about $250 cash for three hours of work with his machine.

I planted some spruce trees on top of the holes.

I had quotes of over $2500 to haul the material away.

[steve86]

“then there is never any property tax relief for seniors because its already a ridiculously low allowance....”

I actually thought the Washington State allowance was pretty generous. Lowered my property tax from $3300 to $570. I qualify with both SS and pension and should continue to qualify unless a person (gf) with a fulltime income moves in.

[woodbutcher1963]

My mom lived in her house in western NY until her death at the age of 92. My parents bought that house in 1967. By the time she passed her taxes were over $5000.

My mother in law just turned 80. My father in law will be 87 next month. They live about 2 miles from me in southern NH.
The taxes on their house are over $8000/year.

I wish my in laws would sell their house and at least move into a condo. I am the one called when they need something done.

So, I am somewhat familiar with the situation.

My taxes on my house are now almost $10,000 annually. I am 61.
However, in my 38 years of working full time, I have NEVER paid a state income tax. I have never paid sales tax on anything I purchased in NH. If I lived in MA I would be paying over 5% of my yearly income to the state.

I may move to another state or country when I retire. I have that choice. So does this person in Montana.

[woodbutcher1963]

Concrete is considered “clean fill”. There is nothing toxic about it. Just dig a deep enough hole so that it does not settle after you have filled the hole back in.

Or, rent a jack hammer and break it up into smaller pieces. That is what I did with the pool concrete.

[steve86]

I have never paid a state income tax either but am not looking forward to the time I’m forced to move years from now and have no relatives to assist. No, I’m not willing to move now and give up the freedom of a reasonably-sized lot, house with more than three rooms total and known good neighbors.

[Jacquerie]

FL homesteaded property is limited to 3% annual property tax increases.

If you didn’t know what to expect, either your or your real estate agent didn’t do their homework.

[Crusher138]

But they can afford eating out, sports tickets, several streaming services and cable, the latest cell phones, SUVs instead of sedans, chain restaurants and groceries instead of cooking at home, HOA fees for the pool and rec center, antideprssants, cigarettes or weed...

I can't speak for all millennials, but my DIL is CHEAP...a skinflint...Lincoln thumbs from pinching pennies...

My son does not want his wife to work...a neat trick since she was a Magna Cum Laude with a double major of psychology and criminology. He is a tradesman and making low six figures.

They have been told that they qualify for a $350K house...barely. The problem is they need at least three bedrooms and the only houses in that price range are either in a horrible (unsafe) neighborhood or in very bad shape. There are some homebuilders around who claim they have homes "starting in the $300s" but that turns out to be HIGH $300s and includes zero upgrades.

Homes in good neighborhoods that are in decent shape are $425K and up around here. New Mexico ranks 38th in cost of living, so it isn't like we are in California or Florida.

I recently had a family member pass away and we have to sell their 3/2 1700 SF condo. The location is okay, but it is very close to a main thoroughfare and it needs work. We are being offered $365K. Stupid money.

[Jacquerie]

<>That’s how the Founders set it up.<>

That just isn’t so.

[ansel12]

My father buried an apartment complex in Houston, which I’m sure was highly illegal even in the late 60s.

[Albion Wilde]

Yep! The only thing is to bury it very deep, or the grass won’t grow on top of it. Sounds like you did the right depth, if you’ve got trees growing on yours!

[Albion Wilde]

Good advice. There is a potential unwanted stream going across the property, but only after a really hard long rain. So I’m thinking a very deep French drain up at the property line — dig about seven feet down, dump a load of pea gravel in, then concrete chunks in-filled with river stones and more pea gravel, at least five feet below the surface before filling with soil.

[Albion Wilde]

You are fortunate to have a frugal millenial in your family!

[Glad2bnuts]

It was a series of questions.

[guest7]

"That's pretty damn steep. But one question that can be asked is what's happened to the actual open market value of his place?..."

"The Land Value Property Tax Assistance Program for Residential Property (LVPTAP) helps residential property owners if the value of their land is disproportionately higher than the value of their home or other buildings on their land and the land has been in their family for at least 30 years."

Howard Jarvis, father of Prop 13. "Flathead County does not send an additional statement for the May 31st 2nd installment of Real Estate Taxes.

Interest of 5/6 of 1% per month plus 2% penalty must accompany delinquent taxes paid after due dates. This amount must be obtained by contacting the Treasurer's office PRIOR to payment."

They imported California Land Owners, but didn't import "Prop 13".

Howard Jarvis, father of "Prop 13".

[dragnet2]

It’s true. The people running government at ALL levels are exactly what the Founders warned us about.

These people now tax everything and then threaten those who fail to pay.

[NelsTandberg]

In my kitchen? Pedo Joe, of course.

Yes, some of us do. I live in a rural Fl area. Jacksonville and St. Augustine are rapidy encroaching. I’m a ‘damn Yankee but generally accepted here after 24 years. We not only have a truly local fire department (in terms of equipment) but we install our own hydrants etc. The county’s volunteer dept became professional about 4 years ago but are still 9 miles distant.

Why? - we are used to taking care of ourselves, and the entire neighborhood watched the county clowns when the local Civil War-era hotel burnt down ca 2005.. The first responders couldn’t even prime their pumps. When trucks from the adjacent county arrived, the two departments got into a pissing contest re who was going to supress the fire.

End result? You guessed it.

[sarge83]

KY taxes your vehicles every year, just got a nice renewal notice for my 19 Frontier, $288.

[Macoozie]

“As those who benefited from prop 13”

benefited from?

Seems kind of loaded.

Buy up properties, raise the prices, raise the taxes, drive all existing folks out.

That’s not fair, equitable, nor a social good.
What it is is predatory, confiscatory, and so very Crony.