Double Dipping

[MELRAY]

Just received my first municipal tax bill for a property I bought though a tax sale. The bill seem to cover the whole first quarter of 2010. I only just took possession, the auction was in mid February. Assuming I would be on the hook from the date of the tender opening or whenever I payed the balance, which was the next day. I would think that my obligation to pay tax would start from one of those two point of time. Not sure if the Town is trying to double dip?

Maybe I shouldn't pay.........LOL

[Dave2]

Mel:

Depending on the size of the municipality I suggest you make a phone call to either the tax official (larger muncipality) or treasurer.  Explain your concern and guage the reaction.  

Most tax invoices are computer generated and most bureaucats just stuff them into an envelope.  

You have to understand that tax sales from a property tax occurrence standpoint are relatively a rare event. (hopefully).  For most purchase and sales of real estate the payment of taxes is not affected, because the taxes are settled out between buyer and seller.  A tax sale is one of the rare exceptions and I am sure whoever designed the computer program didn't allow for this case.

I would suggest a soft sell approach first then depending on what happened you can decide how far you want to take this.  You can always be more aggressive later depending on what is at stake.  In a small rural municipality you run the risk that if you chew out the treaurer the
planning or building officials will treat you in kind when the shoe is on the other foot.

In some cases there can be some real money at stake and unfortunately you have to make a decision. I had one of those that cost me $25,000 very recently and unfortunately I believed I had to take my lumps.  

Hope this helps.  If you want more but want details confidential you can always PM me.  

Dave2