Being a Home Owner
I am blessed to be a home owner. I don't want to give the impression that I'm not grateful to be a home owner, or going on about these "must be nice" problems of dealing with taxes and appeals - what I'm unhappy with is injustice and lies.
Every six months, the Michigan Department of Treasury will send a "Tax Statement" based on the assessed value of your home and property. As the (sell-able) value of a home increases, so does the assessed value increases, and the tax bill will increase.
The Assessor Assesses
An assessor will visit your home and estimate the value of the home and property using all sorts of statistics and data. It all looks very impressive, but it's very much inflated.
An example: value is added to the home based on which school district it's part of. If they determine it's "a very desirable school district", that increases the assessed value.
IF we were selling the home, these features might go into our ASKING price, but not final the SELLING price! Certainly not our annual TAXABLE price!
Appealing Property Assessments
If the home owner feels the assessment is inaccurate, they can appeal the decision. I went through this process once. They make it as unpleasant as possible. It was not fun. And it was pointless.
You gather your evidence as to why you believe the assessment is inaccurate. They call you into a board room with a number of well dressed people (who do not introduce themselves) and they have you make your case.
It's like shark tank. The feeling is that you have to "impress" them with your presentation. It doesn't matter if your presentation is perfect, your argument is spot on, doesn't matter if you offer compelling evidence. You will see a lot of unimpressed faces.
They will end the meeting with something like "you'll receive a decision via mail" or something to that effect. Then you'll get the letter essentially saying "no changes".
The process is not there for people to really make an appeal, it's there to give people the illusion of some control over the situation.
If the assessor decides your home is more valuable, then you will pay more taxes on it. Even for reasons that are beyond your control.
The Inflation Rate Multiplier
This experience has taught me that there is no real opportunity to "appeal" any disagreement with property taxes.
What happens when inflation hits? Inflation means higher prices and yes, homes will naturally be worth more money. The assessor will certainly factor inflation into the price.
But the treasury has made that easy. Introducing: THE INFLATION RATE MULTIPLIER.
This was on my most recent "Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuation" document:
We are in for a wild ride. If inflation of the US dollar ever goes haywire, we are going to see this number go way up. That means when they make their annual assessment, they can automatically factor inflation into the value of the home.
This means under the right circumstances, property tax can double or triple in a single year, simply at the flip of a switch. No legal process needed, just change the "inflation multiplier".
Adjusting the value of the home by a "multiplier" means the taxable value will also "multiply".
Can We Appeal INFLATION?
When it comes to rising prices, we may see multipliers on our bills, to compensate for inflation. Imagine your electric or gas bill with an "inflation multiplier" increasing the price by 1.5x or 2x or 3x?
What appeal process will we have concerning inflation multipliers? They will look at us and say "It's hard for everyone" and "we're in this together" and "at least you're making more money, right?" and "It's the New Normal" and "Prices are going up everywhere."
When taxable assets increase in value based on the assessor's "multiplier", what is the property owner supposed to do? We have no control over economic issues like that!
If you're going to need more money because of inflation, put it to a vote! How can they just flip a switch and tax more?
Forced Buyout
Not to get ahead of myself... but what happens if we cannot afford 4x property taxes? Or 10x property taxes?
Or 1000x property taxes?
Will the state seize the property for "unpaid property taxes"? Who will bail our family out?
Blackrock?
Perhaps INFLATION is a key element for the "great reset" where there are no more HOMEOWNERS. We will rely on the world system to live. This is a nightmare situation for our family.
Am I going too far with this? Am I letting my imagination get the best of me?
I can't help but wonder why the WEF (World Economic Forum) would make such an outlandish statement (You will own nothing and be happy), unless they had an actual plan in motion to bring it about.
Topple the monetary system, forcing people to be "bailed out" by the big guys... but at a severe price.
Am I Off My Rocker?
I hope I'm wrong, because I don't see a way around this scenario. If local municipalities start handing out insanely high tax bills, we could protest, we could refuse to pay, we could do things like this... but most people won't. And just like the appeals process, it will be pointless.
If a convenient solution was offered (sign here in blood), many people could get swept into making decisions that would affect generations to come. Decisions that may seem sensible at the time, but have permanent long-term consequences.
What do you think? Is this possible? What steps could we take now? Is this not worth being concerned about?
As For Me and My House
Just because we see what might be coming, does't mean we should worry about it. Yeshua said "Do not worry about your life" and "those who seek to save their life will loose it" and "those who loose their life will find it". These are words of encouragement, for us to "Be strong and courageous" and to "seek first the kingdom of Heaven (the Reign of God) and all these (concerning your life) will be added unto you."
We either believe this or we don't. Will we have joy when our livelihood is stolen from us? Will it shake our confidence?
"You joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in Heaven, therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward." Hebrews 10:34-35
Maybe the day is coming when our goods are plundered, when we find ourselves slaves in Egypt... no matter what, we must keep our eyes on the ultimate prize, the great reward in Heaven, no matter what the enemy of our souls have planned for us.
Bless the Name of the Most High God and the Son at His Right Hand!
Benjamin Turner: God fearer. Rooted in Messiah. Husband of @lturner. Father of SIX (!!!) wonderful children. The guy behind the camera. Blockchain enthusiast.
Bless the Most High!
Posted Using LeoFinance Beta
