This is a tough question. Who do you trust more, the government to be honest on reducing property taxes as values go down or the company that is charging a fee to help you appeal the same taxes?
The reason this came up is the Alameda County District Attorney is investigating two companies for providing a service that will appeal your property taxes for you. Now this same county has most of the homes in it on the tax rolls for much more than they are presently worth. And the funding for the District Attorneys office does come out of the same funding bucket. But there is no conflict of interest there, is there? (sarcasm)
And then you look at it from the prism of an accountant. Do you not pay them a fee for their expertise to try to minimize your tax burden? The argument they are using is that the service is free to the consumer already, but can’t you go to the library and get the IRS forms for free? Why use an accountant or should the DA look at the whole accounting industry?
That is why I think that the Alameda DA is engaged in an outright intimidating behavior to discredit these companies so they will not harm their livelihood. How dare they think they can try to help out homeowners who are overpaying their property taxes in a declining market and take money out of the DA’s budget.
If the DA’s office had the ability to feel shame they probably would be a bit embarrassed right now. But that would be a long shot.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is investigating two companies soliciting homeowners for $95 to $250 for property tax services they could receive for free, a deputy district attorney said Monday.
Deputy District Attorney David Lim said services like those offered by Connection Plus Inc. of Foster City and San Diego County-based Property Tax Adjusters Inc. could be illegal…“At first blush, it looks like it may not be illegal, but we need to investigate if there’s a crime there,” said Lim, who handles real estate fraud. “We don’t know what they’re doing once they meet with people.” via San Jose Mercury News.
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Check this out – biggest and most corrupt real estate theft operation in the history of CA continues!
http://marlalk.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/fresno-ho…
Yes, this company Property Tax Adjusters, Inc. is a scam. They sent unsolicited mails to the home owners collecting a fee of $125 in the Silicon Valley (depends on where you live). Their return mail envelope looks exactly like from the county assessor’s office. They immediately cashed my check and before any work could start they said they would not refund my money even I don’t need their “service”. They will never refund you and county offers property reassessment for FREE. I lost $125. But I filed complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. I suggest people who are victims of this scam do the same, use the online media and blogs to alert other people.
WATCH OUT THIS COMPANY!
They got me reduced for 2008 in Alameda in the appeals process and saved me $507 on my tax bill! They worked it out with county, I didn't have to do ANYTHING. I don't know how to get comparables and do adjustments… Have you ever been to an appeals hearing? I went and saw all that goes on and all that's involved and signed up the next day. So they are a legit company. Maybe you're just impatient… Hang in there… And maybe don't change your mind at the drop of a hat.
No need to be paitient. Attorney generals office is investigating 6 of this fradulant companies.
Never submit or trust this shisters