I have a semi-serious legal matter I need help with.

Anyone? ... Anyone? ... Bueller?

-matt

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"Well-weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scented country air,
Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware..."



meastie beastie

I'm not an expert but I've paid my fair share of West Allis property taxes.

If it is a question of escrowed tax money from a previous owner of the house not covering the bill. Yes you have to come up with the balance or they will come after the property. I had to make up $87 last year when I bought the house in December.

If it is a question of Federal tax deductions ususally it is percentage of time owned, but I doubt that is the question since it isn't April. Pay in December or you can't claim this deduction. Wait till January and you will have to deduct it on your 2005 tax return I believe.

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1992 3000GT VR-4
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3SI Member 0660, 1753, 2038
W3SI Member 15

Hey Joe. The situation involves a notice I got this weekend asking for $4500 in back-taxes, penalties, and interest from the previous owner (2001). I closed on the house 18 months ago and have no idea why I'm just finding out about this now. I'm just trying to get as much input as possible before moving forward....

_________________
"Well-weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scented country air,
Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware..."



meastie beastie

The title insurance didn't find it? West Allis didn't inform you when you paid last year?

I paid at city hall last year so I had them print out a bill before handing over the checks.

You should consult a tax attorney and the city treasurer.
http://www.ci.west-allis.wi.us/governme ... nment.html

I believe you are on the hook for the back taxes. You might be able to contact or sue the previous owners for the money.

I know if the money doesn't get paid with interest that they will come after the property and property taxes go with the property not the person, just like the water bill.

I'm guessing the new property tax bills are arriving in the mail. I wonder how much they will go up this year?

_________________
1992 3000GT VR-4
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3SI Member 0660, 1753, 2038
W3SI Member 15

Not a word about it back at closing or in any of my documents from closing. I went back and looked at my 2003 tax bill yesterday and saw that there was a small astericks that was supposed to denote that there was delinquencies outstanding ... I never noticed.



I have an attorney's number to talk to tomorrow. I also -- on the advice of someone in the business -- might be calling to talk to the COUNTY treasurer's office (that's where the letter came from) to make sure that this is not an error. I don't see how a house could go into foreclosure without the bank paying the outstanding taxes.



I guess we'll see. I'm pretty sure the previous owners are a lost cause. The closing deal was backed by title insurance, so I should be protected, I hope.



I know mine's going up quite a bit because my city appraisal is up $10,000+. Although that's the least of my worries right now, lol....

_________________
"Well-weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scented country air,
Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware..."



meastie beastie

Title insurance protects the mortgagee (bank) unless you bought an owner policy too. If there was no lien on the deed at that time they wouldn't have known.

They don't seize your property as far as I know (maybe if the tax is outrageous). They just put a lien on the deed that prevents you from selling until the tax is paid with interest.


Everyone's appraisal went up, but only those whose appraisal went up a higher deviation will pay more. Mine was about 20k more.

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1992 3000GT VR-4
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3SI Member 0660, 1753, 2038
W3SI Member 15

I happen to work at a title insurance company and do closings for a living. The seller should have signed a Warranty Deed at closing. This warrants that the property is clear of all liens. So, the bill is his. Further more, if you closed this with a title insurance company, you should contact them, because it would be their problem to fix this for you. Whether they write the check or find the seller. If you closed at a bank, they should have required title insurance to insure the loan. The taxes would be a lien superior to their mortgage and they will NOT want that. So, you could contact them to contact the title company. Either way, DO NOT hire an attorney. UNLESS, you handed cash to a seller and he gave you a "Quit Claim Deed". Then, you have been taught a painful and expensive lesson. Hire an attorney or just pay the bill. And NEVER hand over cash and NEVER accept a "Quit Claim Deed". Feel free to contact our office at info@vanguardtitle.com. PS This will cost you one beer @ Mid West gathering.

Thanks. I should have updated this thread. Last week my title insurance company told me that it was a mistake on their end and that they were hand-delivering a check for the full amount of the bill. A definite relief.

EDIT: Look forward to meeting you at the midwest gathering. Do I still owe you that beer? hehe... Thanks again.

_________________
"Well-weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scented country air,
Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware..."



meastie beastie

I'm glad you didn't get stuck with the taxes, and yes, you still owe me the beer! LOL