Liens, Taxes, and Foreclosures

Transcription

1 This course will provide a comprehensive study of all aspects of liens, titles and foreclosures, addressing all types of liens and their classifications. The course also will discuss taxes and their importance in the real estate industry. Finally, it will cover foreclosures and how to delay and dispute them. Chapters: Chapter One: Liens Chapter Two: Real Estate Tax Liens Chapter Three: Taxes Chapter Four: Foreclosures Learning Objectives: Understand the difference between general and specific liens Describe Ad Valorem taxes and the governmental bodies that impose them Describe special assessment taxes and why they are in place Identify the two components of depreciation and the basis of depreciation Understand installment sales and how they are determined Identify capital gain on home sales and the types of capital gain Comprehend various types of foreclosures Understand how to delay a foreclosure Identify the obligations required of a buyer in a foreclosure Page 1

2 Chapter One: Liens Introduction A lien is a claim against property, made in order to secure payment of a debt. The lien makes the property collateral against monies or services owed to another person or entity. Collateral is an asset that has been pledged by the recipient of a loan as security on the value of the loan. If the recipient of the loan is unable to repay the loan, the lender will look to the collateral as a source for payment on the debt. Liens are of two kinds: general and specific. In addition, there are voluntary and involuntary liens. Voluntary liens are imposed by a contract between the creditor and the debtor (e.g., when a lender holds a mortgage on a property, it has a lien against the home). Involuntary liens are imposed by law, such as when a lien is placed on a property for outstanding taxes and other unpaid debts. An encumbrance is a claim against, limitation on, or liability against real estate. Encumbrances include liens, deed restrictions, easements, encroachments, and licenses. An encumbrance can restrict the owner s ability to transfer title to the property, or it can lessen the property s value. It represents some right or claim of another to a portion of the property or to the use of the property. Liens may be voluntary or involuntary, statutory or equitable, general or specific. Looking at Tax Liens On January 1, when the assessment roll takes effect for the next tax year, a lien is placed on all assessed real property in the amount of the tax due. Taxes on personal property also may be liens on secured real property if they are listed with or cross-referenced to real property on the secured assessment roll. The assessor determines whether the real property is sufficient security for the personal property tax. At the taxpayer s request, real property owned by the taxpayer elsewhere in the county also may secure the personal property tax lien. Before the lien date, the assessor issues and records a certificate to that effect. The real and personal property are cross-referenced in the tax rolls. The property tax lien takes priority over all others, with some exceptions. The exceptions are for the following: a judgment lien creditor who acquired a right, title, or interest, prior to the recording of the property tax lien; holders of a security interest or mechanic s lien; a person or entity who bought the property or took title to it without knowledge of the lien. General Liens A lien is general when it affects all property of the debtor or all property in a certain class. There are several types of general liens. Judgment Liens A judgment lien is a court-ordered lien that is placed against the home or property when the homeowner simply fails to pay a debt. This doesn t seem like a big deal, but when the homeowner has a judgment lien against his or her home and wants to sell it, the judgment lien has to be paid in full before the home or property can be sold. Judgment liens can be placed against the property for a variety of reasons such as unpaid credit card bills, utility bills, department store bills, landscaping or home improvement bills, and just about any bill that the homeowner has failed to pay in a reasonable amount of time. Any bill that can cause an individual to end up in court can result in a judgment lien. A judgment lien is different from a trust, in that the judgment lien holder cannot foreclose on the home or property as the trust holder can. Judgment lien holders can demand payment, but ultimately they must wait for the homeowner to sell the property before they can expect to be paid the money that they are owed according to the judgment. Luckily for the judgment lien holder, the court will typically assign an interest rate to these liens so that the lien holder is compensated for waiting; the interest will continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full. Because the majority of people will live in their home for quite some time, the interest can make a judgment lien grow, and grow, and grow over the years so that it is quite large. Estate and Inheritance Tax Liens Estate tax liens help protect the government s interest in collecting federal estate tax liabilities. A general estate tax lien arises when a decedent s estate fails to pay its estate tax liability. The general estate tax Page 2

3 lien attaches to all of the property that is included in the decedent s gross estate. The decedent s gross estate includes all property owned at death, plus certain other assets over which the decedent had sufficient control. The lien does not attach to property that is outside of the decedent s gross estate or property which (as part of the gross estate) is used to pay court-approved estate expenses. The general estate tax lien is enforceable for a period of ten years following the decedent s death. If the estate tax is not paid when due, then the spouse, transferee, trustee, surviving tenant, person in possession of the property by reason of the exercise, non-exercise, or release of a power of appointment, or beneficiary, who receives, or has on the date of the decedent s death, property included in the gross estate is personally liable for the estate tax. In this event, the general estate tax lien then disappears and is replaced with a transferee tax lien. The transferee tax lien attaches to all the property of such spouse, transferee, trustee, surviving tenant, person in possession, or beneficiary, or transferee of any such person, except any part transferred to a purchaser or a holder of a security interest. The IRS may also seek to impose a special estate tax lien in certain instances, such as where the estate consists primarily of a closely-held business and it elects to defer payment of the estate tax liability. Special estate tax liens are not valid as against any purchaser, holder of a security interest, mechanic s lien, or judgment lien creditor prior to their being properly secured. The special estate tax lien is in lieu of, not in addition to, the general estate tax lien and transferee liens described above. If the taxpayer does not fit into one of those categories, he or she may be able to negotiate with the IRS to reduce or abate tax penalties and interest. The IRS may be willing to reduce or abate tax penalties and interest if the taxpayer can show that he or she made an honest mistake. In some cases it is incumbent on the taxpayer to request that the government remove the interest. An experienced tax attorney can help determine what, if any, estate tax lien a property may be subject to and can help structure the client s financial affairs in a way to minimize the imposition of estate tax liens. Corporation Franchise Tax Liens State governments generally levy a corporation franchise tax on corporations as a condition of allowing them to do business in the state. Such a tax is a general statutory involuntary lien on all real and personal property owned by the corporation. IRS Tax Liens In the United States, a federal tax lien may arise in connection with any kind of federal tax, including but not limited to income tax, gift tax, or estate tax. Internal Revenue Code section 6322 provides: Sec Period of Lien. Unless another date is specifically fixed by law, the lien imposed by section 6321 shall arise at the time the assessment is made and shall continue until the liability for the amount so assessed (or a judgment against the taxpayer arising out of such liability) is satisfied or becomes unenforceable by reason of lapse of time. The term assessment refers to the statutory assessment made by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under 26 U.S.C (that is, the formal recording of the tax in the official books and records at the office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury). Generally, the person liable to pay any tax described in section 6321 must pay the tax within ten days of the written notice and demand. If the taxpayer fails to pay the tax within the ten-day period, the tax lien arises automatically (i.e., by operation of law) and is effective retroactively to (i.e., arises at) the date of the assessment, even though the ten-day period necessarily expires after the assessment date. Under the doctrine of Glass City Bank v. United States, the tax lien applies not only to property and rights to property owned by the taxpayer at the time of the assessment, but also to after-acquired property (i.e., to any property owned by the taxpayer during the life of the lien). The statute of limitations under which a federal tax lien may become unenforceable by reason of lapse of time is found at 26 U.S.C For taxes assessed on or after November 6, 1990, the lien generally becomes unenforceable ten years after the date of assessment. For taxes assessed on or before November 5, 1990, a prior version of section 6502 provides for a limitations period of six years after the date of assessment. Various exceptions may extend the time periods. Page 3

4 Specific Liens A lien is special when it affects only specific property. If a judgment were recovered against a person, that judgment would be a claim against all the property he or she owns or acquires, and is a general lien. But if person A employs person B to build a house for him and does not pay for it, B has a claim on the house he has built, not on all A s property; and his claim is a specific lien. There are several types of specific liens. Property Tax Lien Some states are tax deed only states, which gives their governments access to immediate funds to function properly and perform their normal operations. If an owner does not pay property taxes, the property becomes tax defaulted and the owner has five years to redeem it. The owner of the property has two choices: redeem the property and pay a fortune in taxes and interest, or not redeem the property and let the government sell it. Unlike tax deeds, tax lien certificates let the investor earn a high rate of interest on the delinquent property taxes in addition to collecting the property if the owner fails to redeem. Tax lien certificates are a low-risk, highreturn alternative to the constantly changing economy. Buying tax lien certificates is probably the best-kept secret in investing. It is safe and simple to do. Real Estate Tax Liens Unlike personal debts, tax liens on real estate occur when property owners become responsible for payment even if the tax obligation was incurred by a prior owner. Depending on the law of the state or jurisdiction, the owner of the property may also be personally liable for payment of the taxes. Payment of a tax lien may occur through various methods: Payment may be made directly by the property owner or, in many cases, indirectly by the mortgage holder using an escrow account. Notice is given both to the property owner and mortgage holder when a property tax is delinquent; thus, even if the property owner does not have an escrow account on the mortgage, the mortgage company will receive notice of the delinquency and may pay the tax. The mortgage company will then demand repayment from the owner/borrower and/or create an escrow account to recoup the proceeds, since the mortgage company might lose some of the value of its mortgage lien if the property were sold by the taxing agency to satisfy unpaid-taxes foreclosure. If a property is sold by the owner prior to tax foreclosure by the government body, the tax lien (which is generally discovered as part of a title search) is usually paid from the sale proceeds as part of closing costs. Procedures vary from state to state. Generally, in the event a tax lien on personal property is not paid within a specified time (and after several notices are given), the property may be seized and sold at a foreclosure sale. On real property, one of two methods may be used: either the property may be seized and sold (a tax deed sale), or in some States the tax lien may be offered to investors (in the form of a tax lien certificate) with an accompanying right for the investor, after a specified period of time, to institute foreclosure proceedings (a tax lien sale). Mortgage Liens A mortgage lien is a legal claim against a mortgaged property that must be paid or assumed when the property is sold. The person who holds the lien against the property can claim the property if the loan defaults. The mortgage lien typically belongs to the lender in order to secure the mortgage loan. Mechanic s Liens A mechanic s lien is a security interest in the title to property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property. The lien exists for both real property and personal property. In the realm of real property, it is called by various names including, generically, construction lien. It is also called a materialman s lien or supplier s lien when referring to those supplying materials, a laborer s lien when referring to those supplying labor, and a design professional s lien when referring to architects or designers who contribute to a work of improvement. In the realm of personal property, it is also called an artisan s lien. Mechanic s liens on property in the United States date from the 1700s. With respect to real property, mechanic s liens are purely statutory devices that exist in every state as legislative public policy to protect contractors. More specifically, the state legislatures have determined that, due to the economics of the construction business, contractors and subcontractors need a greater remedy for non-payment for their work than merely the right to sue on their contracts. In particular, without the mechanic s lien, Page 4

5 subcontractors providing either labor or materials may have no effective remedy if their general contractor isn t sufficiently financially responsible, because their only contractual right is with that general contractor. Without the mechanic s lien, the contractor would have a limited number of options to enforce payment of the amounts owed. Further, there is usually a long list of claimants on any failed project. To avoid the specter of various trades, materialmen and suppliers attempting to remove the improvements they have made, and to maintain a degree of equality between the various lienors on a project, the statutory lien scheme was created. Without it, Tradesperson A may try to race Supplier B to the courthouse, the project site, or the construction lender to obtain payment. Most lien statutes instead mandate strict compliance with the formalized process they create in return for the timely resolution and balancing of claims between all parties involved both owners and lien claimants. Utility Liens Municipalities often have the right to impose a specific, equitable, involuntary lien on the property of an owner who refuses to pay bills for municipal utility services. Bail Bond Liens A bail bond lien happens when a family member needs to be bailed out of jail and a relative puts up his or her home for collateral. The bail company will place a bail bond against the relative s property, which works as an insurance policy for the court. If the individual does not show up for the court date, the bail is paid to the court through the bail bond company. In most cases, bail bond liens are secured with a deed of trust, allowing the bail bond company to foreclose the property if the bond is not repaid. Case Study: Mechanic s Lien - RTBH, Inc. v. Simon Property Group Dick s Sporting Goods, Inc. entered into a lease with Simon Property Group for a property that Simon owned at a mall. Dick s planned to build a new store on the property, which would required the deconstruction of the existing units. Simon agreed to pledge to finish the construction of the building if Dick s failed to complete it. Dick s used S.C. Nestel, Inc. as the general contractor for the project. McAndrews was then subcontracted by Nestel to do the window and glass work. Throughout the construction process, a representative from McAndrews was in contact with representatives from Dicks and Nestel, but not with anyone from Simon. The store was eventually completed without the need for Simon to intervene. Nestel refused to pay McAndrews for the work and, instead, filed a complaint for damages against them. McAndrews filed a counterclaim against both Nestel and Simon stating that there was a valid mechanic s lien on the property. Simon made a motion for a partial summary judgment. They claimed there was no mechanic s lien on their interest of the property. McAndrews wanted to be paid for their services. However, Simon claimed they were targeting the wrong people. Simon was not necessarily claiming that McAndrews was not owed money, only that they were not responsible for it. McAndrews believed that a valid mechanic s lien was placed on the property because of the services they provided and wanted the lien to be foreclosed. However, the court ruled that, since the property owner (Simon) was not involved in the construction, the lien could not be applied to the property. Therefore, a partial summary judgment was given in favor of Simon Group. The Effects of Liens on Title Unlike personal debts, tax liens run with the land in that a property owner becomes responsible for payment even if the tax lien obligation was incurred by a previous owner. Depending on the local state and county law, the new owner of the property may also become personally liable for any and all payment of the tax lien. So, when a property owner doesn t pay his property taxes, the county government puts a lien on the property, making it a tax lien property. The county government will then look for investors to pay the property owner s back taxes owed, so that the local government can continue to run on budget. Priority of Liens The usual rule as to priority of liens is that they rank in the order of their filing or recording in the office of the proper officials. A mortgage recorded yesterday has precedence over one recorded today, and both are prior in lien to a mechanic s lien that may be filed tomorrow. As to judgments, there is an exception to this rule; a judgment is not good against the rights of those claiming under a deed or mortgage actually delivered Page 5

6 prior to the date of docket of the judgment, even though the deed or mortgage has not been recorded. The creditor who secures a judgment does so regardless of what a debtor may or may not own. The creditor asserts an existing claim in an action at law; when a judgment is secured, it becomes a lien on what the debtor actually owns at that time. It must, of course, be recognized that deeds and mortgages given to defraud creditors may be set aside, and that reference here is only to those given in good faith for value. It must also be noted that the lien of all taxes and assessments imposed by any governmental authority is superior to every other lien, regardless of the date of the lien or its recording. Of course, the relative rank of any two or more liens can be changed by agreement between their holders; this is often done with respect to mortgages by means of an instrument known as a subordination agreement. Perfected and Unperfected Liens Liens may be perfected or unperfected. Perfected liens are those liens for which a creditor has established a priority right in the encumbered property with respect to third party creditors. Perfection is generally accomplished by taking steps required by law to give third party creditors notice of the lien. The fact that an item of property is in the hands of the creditor usually constitutes perfection. Where the property remains in the hands of the debtor, some further step must be taken, such as recording a notice of the security interest with the appropriate office. Selling Property If you are planning on selling property that has a lien on it, it is unlikely that the sale will close unless the debt is taken care of. A buyer will expect liens to be paid to allow for a transfer of clear title. Purchasing Property When purchasing real estate, it is important to make sure there is no lien on the property that will prevent the securing of a clear title to the property. Generally, a bank or other mortgage lender will not provide mortgage financing until all liens on the property have been removed. A title search will usually indicate whether or not a lien exists and whether the seller is the legally recognized property owner. It should also indicate the exact legal description of the property, as well as providing details regarding a lien or other encumbrances against the title. Anyone can conduct a search at the county clerk s office. Some county clerks have Websites which allow for title searches on the Internet, but these may not provide complete records. Therefore, it may be wise to hire an attorney or an abstract company to conduct the title search. Transferring Property without Removing Liens The law does not require that liens be removed before title to property can be sold or transferred. But the lien will need to be cleared up if the buyer needs financing or wants clear title. If property is transferred without the lien being paid off, it remains on the property. In transfers between relatives, the new owner may be willing to take title to property that already has liens encumbering it. Property Lien Disputes If there is a property lien dispute, an experienced real estate attorney should be contacted to help resolve it. How are Real Estate Liens Released/ Assigned? Obviously, a full payoff of one s debt will lead to the removal of a lien upon providing evidence to the County Records Office, but suppose you are ready to sell your home or trade in your vehicle but you ve been told you have to obtain a Release of Lien first. Normally, you would go back to the bank or Savings and Loan and ask them to prepare a release for you. But, where do you go if the bank or Savings and Loan has failed? The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which is best known for insuring bank depositors to at least $250,000 per insured bank account, may be able to help by providing you with a Release of Lien on your home, vehicle, boat or other personal property if: The lien holder is a bank or Savings and Loan Institution that failed and has been placed in FDIC receivership. Also, in some cases, if the lien holder is a Subsidiary of a failed bank or Savings and Loan. If you re not sure, please call the appropriate DRR Customer Service Center at or toll-free at The loan was paid off before the institution failed. The loan was paid off to the FDIC after the institution failed. A request for a Release of Lien must be made in writing Page 6

7 and be detailed. Mail, or fax your request to the appropriate DRR Customer Service Center with the recorded document to be released or to be assigned showing the closed institution as the lien holder. Also, a proof of payoff must be provided to expedite the completion of your request and avoid researching the records of the closed institution which will delay the completion of your request. When an Assignment of Lien is needed to complete a chain of title, you must obtain an Assignment of Lien from the FDIC. The following documents are needed to obtain an Assignment of Lien: A copy of the Mortgage or Deed of Trust Document that you are requesting to be assigned. The copy must be readable and clearly show the recording information. This document can be obtained from the Public Records in the County where the property is located or from your title company or title attorney. Copies of any subsequent assignments that show the chain of title leading to an FDIC receivership. Proof that the party to whom the assignment is being made is the current holder of the mortgage. Proof can be in the form of a Note Endorsement, Loan History, Sales Contract or Indemnification Agreement. You can mail your request to: FDIC, 1910 Pacific Ave, Dallas TX Attention: DRR Customer Service Center/Inwood OR it can be faxed to We ask that you either fax your request OR mail it in. Please do not do both. Hard to read documents should be mailed or sent overnight, rather than faxed. Unreadable documents cannot be processed. Be sure to include your address and phone number with your written request. Because of the large volume of release requests we get, it may take up to 30 business days to obtain an assignment so you may want to plan accordingly. If you have any questions you may call the DRR Customer Service Center at or toll-free at between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except Holidays). A Customer Service Representative will be happy to answer your questions, OR check out our Frequently Asked Questions. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. To view the website, go to consumer/information/lien/assignment.html. If the lien holder of record is not a Bank or Savings and Loan that failed and has been placed in FDIC receivership, please provide copies of any and all assignments that show the chain of title leading to an FDIC receivership. It is highly suggested you also provide the following documents, if available: A copy of a recent Title Search or Title Commitment, or Attorney s Title Opinion on the property for which you are requesting an assignment showing the breaks in the chain of title. This is especially helpful in cases where the Mortgage documents are of poor quality and hard to read. Your Title Company or Title Attorney can usually provide you with this. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. To view the website, go to consumer/information/lien/assignment.html. Where to Send Your Request A request for a Release of Lien must be made in writing. Page 7

8 Chapter Two: Real Estate Tax Liens General Ad Valorem Tax An ad valorem tax (Latin for according to value ) is a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. An ad valorem tax is typically imposed at the time of a transaction, as in a sales tax or value-added tax (VAT), but it may be imposed on an annual basis (real or personal property tax) or in connection with another significant event (inheritance tax, surrendering citizenship, or tariffs). These taxes are specific, involuntary, statutory liens. Ad valorem rates, which have come into increased use, have the important advantage of adjusting the tax burden according to the amount the consumer spends on the taxed items. They thus avoid the serious discrimination of specific rates against low-priced commodities. The primary difficulty with the ad valorem taxation, especially in the case of tariffs, is in establishing a satisfactory value figure. Sales taxes of broad scope must, of necessity, have ad valorem rates. Property taxes are sometimes considered ad valorem taxes (since the rates are applied to the value of the property) as opposed to special assessments, which are frequently imposed on a specific unit basis (e.g., front footage). Ad Valorem taxes are a substantial source of revenue for local governments. The basis of ad valorem property taxation is the fair market value of the property, established as of January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessed property value which is established by law. The amount of tax is determined by the tax rate levied by various entities. Ad Valorem taxes are imposed by taxing bodies of government, including: States and counties Cities, towns, and villages School districts Drainage districts Water districts Sanitary districts Parks, forest preserves, and recreation districts Sales Tax A sales tax is a consumption tax charged at the point of purchase for certain goods and services. The tax is usually set as a percentage by the government charging the tax. There is usually a list of exemptions. The tax can be included in the price (tax-inclusive) or added at the point of sale (tax-exclusive). Ideally, a sales tax is fair, has a high compliance rate, is difficult to avoid, is charged exactly once on any one item, and is simple to calculate and collect. A conventional or retail sales tax attempts to achieve this by charging the tax only to the final end user, unlike a gross receipts tax levied on the intermediate business which purchases materials for production or ordinary operating expenses prior to delivering a service or product to the marketplace. This prevents so-called tax cascading or pyramiding, in which an item is taxed more than once as it makes its way from production to final retail sale. There are several types of sales taxes: Seller or Vendor Tax, Consumer Excise Tax, Retail Transaction Tax, or Value-Added Tax. Value-Added Tax A value-added tax (VAT), or goods and services tax (GST), is a tax on exchanges, levied on the added value that results from each exchange. It differs from a sales tax because a sales tax is levied on the total value of the exchange. For this reason, a VAT is neutral with respect to the number of passages between the producer and the final consumer. A VAT is an indirect tax, in that the tax is collected from someone other than the person who actually bears the cost of the tax (namely, the seller rather than the consumer). To avoid double taxation on final consumption, exports (which by definition are consumed abroad) are usually not subject to VAT and VAT charged under such circumstances is usually refundable. Property Tax A property tax, or millage tax, is an ad valorem tax that an owner of real estate or other property pays on the value of the property being taxed. There are three species or types of property: Land, Improvements to Land (immovable man-made things), and Personalty (movable man made things). Real estate, real property and realty are all terms for the combination of land and improvements. The taxing authority requires and/ or performs an appraisal of the monetary value of the property, and tax is assessed in proportion to that value. Forms of property tax used vary between countries and jurisdictions. Page 8

9 Ad Valorem Importance Ad valorem duties are important to those importing goods into the United States, because the amount of duty owed is often based on the value of the imported commodity. Ad valorem taxes (mainly real property tax and sales taxes) are a major source of revenues for state and municipal governments, especially in jurisdictions that do not employ a personal income tax. Ad valorem is used frequently to refer to property values by county tax assessors. In many states, the central appraisal district sends certified values to the county tax assessor, who determines the final tax rate to be imposed on the property. Other states use a state tax commission, which notifies the appropriate taxing authorities of the assessed value of property within their billing jurisdiction. Ad valorem tax relates to a tax with a rate given as a proportion of the price. For example, virtually all state and local taxes on restaurant meals and clothing are ad valorem. What Property is Taxed? Taxes on Real Property Real property for property tax purposes generally includes the land, building, structures, and all improvements or fixtures annexed to the building or structure. The definition of real property often excludes business personal property such as tools, implements, machinery, and equipment attached to or installed as real property for use in the business. Taxes on Personal Property Taxing authorities may also tax personal property. The items taxed vary by jurisdiction, but most jurisdictions do not impose property taxes on household goods, inventories, and intangible personal property such as bonds. Motor vehicles, however, are often subject to ad valorem taxation. Determining the Amount of Ad Valorem Taxes Generally, ad valorem taxes are assessed as of January 1 each year and are computed as a percentage of the assessed value of the property being taxed. The assessed value of property generally is a fair percentage of fair market value. Fair market value is usually defined as the price that a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept for property, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell. It is also defined as the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller when both have reasonable knowledge of all the facts necessary and neither is required to buy or sell. Appraisers hired by the taxing authority most often value the property. Most taxing authorities require periodic inspections of the subject property as part of the valuation process and establish appraisal criteria to determine fair market value. Such criteria include factors analyzing: the cost of the property and subsequent depreciation; comparable market data; the use of the property; and estimated annual net income generated by a business property. Disputing Valuation Upon notification of assessment, the property owner may dispute the valuation. Generally, taxpayers may request a hearing at the local level and, if necessary, appeal the valuation to a higher agency and, ultimately, a tax court. Levy of Tax and Classification Once a value is determined, the tax is levied, and the property owner is notified. The actual tax rate may vary depending on the property s classification. Property is often classified according to its use. Common classifications include commercial/industrial property, multiple dwelling property, residential homestead property, agricultural property, and business property. Parties Involved Here are some of the entities that may be involved in the ad valorem tax process. The terms for these individuals or entities may be different in your area, but there will likely be an individual or board that has similar duties and responsibilities in the county where you live: The County Tax Commissioner, an office established by the Constitution and elected in all counties except one, is the official responsible for receiving tax returns filed by taxpayers or designating the board of tax assessors to receive them; receiving and processing application for homestead exemption; serving as agent of the State Revenue Commissioner for the registration of motor vehicles; and performing all functions related to billing, collecting, accounting for, and disbursing ad Page 9

10 valorem taxes collected in this county. The County Board of Tax Assessors, appointed for fixed terms by the county governing authority in all counties except one, is responsible for determining taxability and also for the appraisal, assessment, and equalization of all assessments within the county. The Board of Tax Assessors notifies taxpayers when changes are made to the value of property, receive and review all appeals filed, and insure that the appeal process proceeds properly. In addition, the Board approves all exemptions claimed by the taxpayer. The County Board of Equalization, appointed by the Grand Jury, is the body charged by law with hearing and adjudicating administrative appeals to property assessments made by the Board of Tax Assessors. (Note: An arbitration method of appeal is available to the taxpayer in lieu of an appeal to the Board of Equalization at the option of the taxpayer at the time the appeal is filed.) The Board of County Commissioners, or County Governing Authority (or the sole Commissioner in some counties), an elected body, establishes the annual budget for county government operations and then levies the mill rate necessary to fund the portion of the budget to be paid for by ad valorem tax. The County Board of Education, an elected body, establishes the annual budget for school purposes and then recommends the mill rate, which, with very few exceptions, must be levied for the School Board by the County Commissioners. The State Revenue Commissioner exercises general oversight of the entire ad valorem tax process. In addition, the State levies ad valorem tax each year in an amount which cannot exceed one-fourth of one mill (.00025). Special Assessment (Improvement Taxes) Special assessment is the term used in the United States to designate a unique charge government units can assess against real estate parcels for certain public projects. This charge is levied in a specific geographic area known as a Special Assessment District (SAD). A special assessment may be levied only against parcels of real estate which have been identified as having received a direct and unique benefit from the public project. This type of tax is always a specific and statutory lien. It can either be voluntary meaning the property owners in the area that is going to be affected can petition for the improvement or involuntary, which means that a government authority can initiate the process. Special assessment taxes are imposed on real estate that requires property owners to pay for improvements such as streets, alleys, street lighting, curbs, and similar items that benefit their real estate. Such taxes are enforced in the same manner as general real estate taxes, with the same lien priority after the general real estate tax. Examples The most universally known special assessments are charges levied against lands when drinking water lines or sewer lines are installed, or when streets are paved with macadam or some other impervious surface. However, special assessment taxes can be levied for police or fire protection, parking structures, street lighting, and many other purposes permitted by state and local government statutes. Special Assessment District A Special Assessment District (SAD) is a unique geographic area in which the market value of real estate is enhanced due to the influence of a public improvement and in which a tax is apportioned to recover the costs of the improvement. Individual special assessment levies may be made only in a Special Assessment District. The SAD is one of two kinds of geographic areas commonly associated with a special assessment levy. The other kind of geographic area is the service district. Circumstances vary according to state law, but the essential distinguishing feature between these two types of districts is this: a service district is composed of all individual parcels of land that are somehow connected to the public improvement for which the special assessment is to be levied. The special assessment district consists of only those properties which are designated by the applicable law as having received a specific and unique benefit from the public improvement. Examples of properties which may be connected in some way to a public improvement and are therefore included within a service district, but may be excluded from the special assessment district, are properties associated with a dam and properties associated with a business parking structure. Page 10

11 In the case of a dam, all properties located within a scientifically defined watershed and all properties lying within the floodplain of the dam are connected by how water drains from an entire watershed into a lake and how water within the lake may flood specific areas downstream. Since the area of a watershed and the area of a floodplain are often very, very large when compared to the area of a lake, it is possible for some portions of the watershed and floodplain to be physically located in a government unit other than the one in which the lake is located. It is also possible that the government unit authorizing a special assessment levy does not have jurisdiction to include all land within the watershed and floodplain. In this example, the service district would be large enough to include all properties connected to the lake by how water flows. The Special Assessment District would be a smaller area within which the government unit proposing the special assessment has the power to levy a special assessment tax. In the case of an economic development project (e.g. a parking structure for a business district) circumstances which would cause the service district and Special Assessment District to have differing geographic boundaries relate to the existing and permitted use of property rather than political subdivisions. That is, economic forces within the market would be the key to including or excluding a specific property. The service district for a parking facility is generally limited to the geographic area in which pedestrians would walk between businesses and the parking structure. An example might be that users of a parking structure will traverse an area defined as being within six blocks or less of a parking structure. In this example, the service district would consist of all properties lying within six blocks of the parking structure. However, there may be more than just retail business structures within the six-block area. All classes of properties lying within the distance shoppers can reasonably be expected to walk to and from retail outlets could include a block of homes or an industrial facility. The commercial properties would be assessed because surveys would illustrate that retail sales depend upon adequate parking for customers. It could also be demonstrated that residential properties (homes), would be excluded because users of those properties might not reasonably be expected to benefit from the parking structure. Depending upon various scenarios, industrial properties might, similarly, not benefit from a parking structure. Benefit There are variations between state governments as to what constitutes a benefit under special assessment laws. In general, the benefit must result directly, uniquely, and specifically from the public project. For example, when water and sewer lines are installed by government units, nearby land often increases in value. The presence both of safe drinking water and of sewer lines means that expensive wells and septic systems do not have to be installed by affected property owners. It also means the potential for contamination of ground water and surface areas from improperly treated sewage will be eliminated. Land that might have been unbuildable before may become buildable once governmentprovided water and sewer services become available. Providing water and sewer service are situations which may adapt formerly unusable land for residential or commercial use. A storm sewer or a dam or dike may mitigate flooding and make properties within the former flood zone more valuable. The term benefit most frequently means an increase in the market value of the benefited property. However, some states historically have defined the term to mean more than an increase in market value. For example, it may refer to a special adaptability of the land or a relief from some burden. Special Assessment vs. Ad Valorem Tax The property tax most citizens are aware of is the ad valorem tax. Special assessment levies are not ad valorem property taxes, even though they may be collected on a property tax bill. A special assessment is based strictly upon the concepts of need and benefit. Special assessments require a finding that the public improvement is needed for a reason consistent with the law which permits the special assessment and that each property specially assessed receives a unique, measurable and direct benefit from the public improvement that was needed. The basic idea is, if government funds make a property more valuable, the government has the right to get money back from a property owner. This contrasts significantly with the ad valorem tax, Page 11

12 which is extracted to fund government operations designed to benefit all citizens. An ad valorem tax is based upon the legal principles of equity and uniformity. That is, everyone must be treated fairly and equally. In special assessments, proportionality is a key element. A special assessment is premised upon the necessity for the public improvement and the fiscal burden imposed must be reasonably proportional to the benefit created. Unlike ad valorem taxes, special assessments are not expected to be uniformly levied (the same millage rate for each parcel). The fiscal burden is spread among only those properties within the special assessment district and apportioned to each property based upon the unique, specific, and direct benefit the property receives from the public improvement. Thus, a vacant lot might be assessed the same fee as an adjacent lot which has a million-dollar home on it. Tax Sale As one means of generating lost income from delinquent taxpayers, county governments offer tax sales at auction to the public. During Tax Lien Sales, what is purchased at these auctions is not land, rather a debt to be collected on. By purchasing the right to collect past due taxes, a buyer is in essence loaning money to the property owner to pay their taxes. During Tax Deed Sales however, the winning bidder will own the deed and the land, having purchased it from the county or authority performing the sale. A Tax Lien or Tax Certificate Sale is a public sale, usually at auction, of the right to collect on a delinquent taxpayer s debt. This sale is held by the County, generally once each year. What is purchased by the winning bidder is not the deed to a property. The purchaser s money pays the delinquent taxes to the County on behalf of the delinquent property owner. In exchange, the purchaser is given first lien position on title, ahead of mortgages, deeds of trust, and judgments, subordinate only to State tax liens. Under the terms of the sale which may differ greatly from county to county, if the debt is not repaid with interest (rate determined at the time of sale) within a specified time period, the purchaser of the tax lien may foreclose upon the property, and all junior (subordinate) liens are dissolved, forgiven, or otherwise not the responsibility of the purchaser. If you are interested in participating in a Tax Lien or Tax Certificate Sale, contact your county for specific information and details both about the sale and the properties. A Tax Deed Sale is a public sale, usually at auction, of the deed to the property of a delinquent taxpayer. The Owner and all lien holders have been given ample time and have received proper legal notification that the property will be sold if due taxes are not satisfied. Different than a Tax Lien Certificate Sale, the winning bidder purchases the deed to a piece of property, becoming the new owner and obtaining all rights to the property free and clear of liens, mortgages, deeds of trust, etc. The more people who do bid generally means prices get higher and ultimately may not be such great deals. Sometimes, though, not that much interest exists in property, and people can acquire it for extremely low rates. It should be stated that a few people feel moral qualms about making money on the misery of others, which is clearly the case with many tax sale situations, especially when taxes owed were very low, and could have been met with a little charity. It is extremely important to know and understand which type of sale you are attending, a tax deed or tax lien/ certificate sale. Each has specific rules and guidelines which must be followed promptly, and which can differ greatly county to county. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in attending a tax sale be aware of the method and timeliness required for payment and delivery of a property. For further information, familiarize yourself with property tax law, consult a legal attorney, and contact the government agency conducting the sale. Redemption The right of redemption is the right of the foreclosed homeowner to buy the home back from the person who bought it at foreclosure. Once the sale is complete, if the home was sold by judicial foreclosure, you may buy it back. This is a statutory right, meaning there has to be a specific law providing for the right. Therefore if there is no statute there is no right of redemption. Under a trust deed with a power of sale, there is no right of redemption after the trustee sale. The sale is final. On June 8 of the tax year, the delinquent tax list is published in a local newspaper of general circulation. Unpaid taxes are subject to delinquency payments. Over time, the amount owed also is increased by additional costs, interest, and redemption penalties. If a taxpayer begins making currently due payments, such Page 12

13 arrearages may be paid in five annual installments. At the time all past due amounts have been paid, the country tax collector issues a certificate of redemption. The right of redemption or Equity of Redemption as it is known in those states using mortgages rather than trust deeds, usually allows a borrower in default to redeem the property within three months after foreclosure sale if the proceeds are sufficient to pay off all indebtedness plus any other foreclosure costs. If the sale does not bring enough money to pay off the debt, the mortgagor has one year to redeem the property by paying off the amount owed, plus costs. Understanding Property Reassessment Buyers of commercial properties are supposed to have their properties reassessed and pay taxes on the full value of their property when a change in ownership has occurred. Some states property tax laws require in general that real property be reassessed when there is a change in ownership. But loopholes in the law allow buyers to avoid reassessment even if 100% of a company changes hands. The current system provides property owners with innumerable ways to structure change of ownership transactions to avoid paying higher taxes. The laws governing change of ownership reassessments could be tightened to require reassessment if at least 50% of a corporation s stock or ownership shares change hands. To qualify for reassessment, the following is required: A written Application for Reassessment (reverse) must be filed with the Assessor-Recorder within 60 days of the misfortune or calamity, or as otherwise provided by law, but in no case more than twelve months after the occurrence of said damage. If no application is made and the Assessor determines that within the preceding twelve months a property has suffered damage caused by misfortune or calamity that may qualify the property owner for relief under an ordinance adopted under this section, the assessor shall provide the last known owner of the property with an application for reassessment. The property owner shall file the completed application with the Assessor within 60 days of the date of mailing which appears on the notification by the Assessor, but in no case more than twelve months after the occurrence of said damage. The damage to taxable property is $10,000 or more of full cash value, not including non-taxable items such as household and personal effects. The damage or destruction is not attributable to fault by the owner. Upon receiving a proper application, the Assessor will verify damage or loss by reappraising separately the land, improvements, and any personal property subject to property taxation. If the total value loss is $10,000 or more, the Assessor shall determine the percentage of loss to land, improvements and personalty. A ratio of damaged to undamaged full cash value will be established, and the current taxable value shall then be adjusted by the same ratio. The assessor shall notify the applicant in writing of the amount of the proposed reassessment and state that the applicant may appeal the proposed reassessment to the local Board of Equalization within six months of the date of mailing the notice. Transfer Tax on Purchase Price of Property The transfer of title to real estate with consideration is taxed in many states. The methods and tax rates vary by state. Some states use tax stamps that are affixed to the deed and cancelled. Generally, the calculation begins with the purchase price of the property. Exemptions in some states include: The balance owed on an assumed mortgage Some states exempt property transfers below a certain stated dollar amount Rates and methods of rate application also vary. An amount may be determined based upon a rate of $X for each $XXX or fractional part of the taxable value. For this example, we will assume that the tax rate is $0.90 for each $1,000 of taxable value. Suppose the taxable value is $225,000. We will need to divide the taxable value by $1,000 (Remember the equation $0.90 for each $1,000 - there are 225 1,000s in $225,000). Once we have the equation set up correctly, all that is left to do is to multiply the tax rate ($0.90) by the taxable units (225). This gives us a tax amount of $ The tax amount may also be calculated based upon a percentage of the taxable value. For this example, we will use the same taxable value of $225,000. The tax rate, for this example, will be You could also express this as.55%. To determine the tax amount, you will need to multiply the taxable value ($225,000) by the tax rate (.0055). This gives you a property transfer tax amount of $ Page 13