What if you are unable to pay the property tax?
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
January 16, 2012 3:31pm CST
Here is my big question. Some people own a couple of houses, and I assumed that property tax annually must be around a couple of thousands dollars at least. Since at some counties where my fellow co - workers living at right now, annual property tax is up to $1600. What if you can't pay all, or the full amount of property tax you owe to the county government, what then....? Would they take over your house, or confiscate it if you can't keep up the property tax every year? Some local citizens become so much grudge against the system our county government used to appraise the value of the property. They usually over appraised it in order to make more tax revenue. That just simply wrong. Since the appraised value is 1 1/2 the market price value.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
16 Jan 12
What happens is that if you don't pay the property tax in so many years the city/town/county takes ownership of the property and sells it to pay the back taxes. I don't know what would happen if you had a mortgage on it. I think the mortgage company would have to pay it and then increase your payment?
Many times you can see the tax rolls online and it should show if the property is listed as current or not.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
16 Jan 12
I forgot they also charge you a late fee/fine for being late as a penalty.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
17 Jan 12
Well, your answer is good enough to answer my discussion already. So, the government will took over your property and sell it to recover the lost revenue. That is it.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
17 Jan 12
There are government programs that help people who need help paying for property tax. I would ask the city office and they should be able to guide you in the right direction. In most cases they will send you to the county assessor.
I remember when my husband and I owned our home we paid our taxes twice a year (in December and in April). My parents pay theirs four times a year. It depends on each state and each county.
