Tomorrow, filing for personal property taxes is due. The filing letter from the state says February 1, but the assessor pointed out the actual law written says the 21st. Small wonder we can become confused in this state when it applies to taxation.
I consider myself a reasonably “able” individual and only had to spend 2 hours figuring out (and I don’t think I still have it right) the tax form. Seems to me it should say: You have this much stuff $—–. Then send a check… But no, they want to know WHAT it is broken down to, phones? Printer? Desk? All to collect my $64.. I would send $100 each year to NEVER HAVE TO FILL OUT THE FORM.
This isn’t all…
Now it goes to the assessor, who must manually go through all of these.. his office has operating expenses.. So.. what is the actual COST of collecting PPT? It seems there are poorly run charities with better efficiency rates. This is not due to the assessor’s inefficiency but the law as it is written.
Oh wait.. it gets worse..
There was a relatively new addition to the law.. NOW Mobile homes in trailer parks have a new burden. Previously Mobile home property taxes had a simple “fixed” property tax (like $4.. or something ) based on the park paying property taxes and burying that in the rent anyhow. The NEW tax is on additions (porches) and outbuildings. The state legislators in their rush to collect taxes from any source they feel has something to give, didnt realize the cost of compliance.
Our assessor spent 2 months with PAID assistance (that means township paid labor for those of you who are the House democrat leader in Michigan) prowling the township to determine which trailers had assessable property attached. The grand total of taxes collected for the 2 months worth of intensive search? <insert Drumroll here please>
$800.
As the tag line in a Guinness commercial would go… Brilliant!