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Call Kurtis: Why Did My Property Tax Bill Shoot Up?

(Antelope) Colleen Fadollone prides herself on not owing anyone anything.  She was not happy getting this year's property tax bill which was 17-percent higher than last year's.

"This year it's $2,000 something, and that's very hard to pay," she said.

She remembers a law that is supposed to limit your annual increase.

"We're not supposed to have to pay more than 2-percent," she recalled.

Colleen is partially right. The Sacramento County Tax Assessor's Office has been flooded with calls from homeowners upset about higher than expected bills.

"We're not scamming them," Assistant Assessor Christina Manley said.

Under Proposition 13, it's true that your home can only be assessed a maximum of 2-percent higher each year from the price you paid. The increase depends on inflation. Under Proposition 8, if the value of your home drops, you only have to pay taxes on what your house is currently worth.

"It is temporary, but people forget it has been four years," said Manley.

Temporary meaning home prices are now shooting back up and so will your property taxes right up to your Proposition 13 value which in some cases is 25-percent higher than a year ago. See this chart from Sacramento County as an example.

Colleen now understands why her taxes are higher.  On a limited income, she was forced to borrow from her son to pay her tax bill.

"I'm not happy about it, but I paid it."

Those with escrow accounts should expect their house payments to go up to cover the larger bill.   The assessed values are based on what your home was worth on January 1, 2013.   If you think the Tax Assessor was wrong on your property's value, you can ask them to take another look at your property.  In Sacramento County, you have a deadline of December 2nd to file that request.

Here are frequently asked questions answered by the Sacramento County Tax Assessor.

 

 

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