30% overcharge on Property Taxes | Eastern NC Now

    Governor McCrory -

    You have expressed "success" in income tax reform. There is an even greater need for tax reform in NC relative to Property Taxes.

    Four years ago the State Statute required re-evaluation across NC. Our local tax office here in Beaufort County honestly told them the real estate bubble had burst and prices were going down rather than up. They insisted on using former means / spending better than $1,000,000 here to do "official appraisals," and all that expense was a total waste because it was based on former values rather than current reality.

    Today, except for possibly the Charlotte or Raleigh Triangle, all properties are selling for 70% of appraised value according to my Real Estate Professional friends. This amounts to a 30% "legalized robbery" for the last four years of NC citizens.

    Now, if you really want to make a difference and give taxes Republican Conservatism---then work to bring about immediate reform starting on January 1, 2015. I see no call for a "formal appraisal" since it is obvious a 30% across-the-board reduction could not possibly make up for the 4 years of excess property tax. It is a no-brain/no-spend-money simple solution.

    Both Paul Tine and Bill Cook have done the research through our non-partisan legal research office. G.S. 105-286 requires appraisal every 8 years but SAYS NOTHING about doing so in less years (like 4) in a market crash situation.

    I am a small business owner whose income has almost gone to nothing in this busted economy. People are putting off spending money on trees outside a weather emergency or windstorm disaster. I am one of the many businesses suffering ---- that you say you want to help.

    For the last 4 years I have barely paid my Property Tax because it is so high. I was within a week of foreclosure procedures last year to collect and this year is, as yet, unpaid. I simply have NO MONEY. This tax is onerous.

    If the Executive Branch joins with the Legislative Branch, I am sure it could be rectified --- and made fair --- once more. If anyone says, "We can't do a budget on 30% less," then I have a word----"I have to do mine on 20% of what I made prior to the great Recession." So---live as do the citizens of NC!

    Get real. Get honest. Help us ASAP!!!!