Q: Grandmother is receiving letters about owed taxes when she shouldn't owe any, what can we do?
She turns 90 this year, and has lived in the same house for over 20 years, but the tax office said no one was living in he house. She never moved from the house, and she was on a deferral for a long time before now, but she suddenly doesn't have it anymore.
A:
First, it’s important to gather all documentation related to your grandmother's property and tax history, including any records of her tax deferral. It sounds like there may be a discrepancy or error in the tax office's records if they believe no one is living at the property. Collecting documents like previous tax bills, proof of residence, and any correspondence from the tax office will be helpful.
Next, schedule a visit or a call with the tax office. Explain the situation clearly: your grandmother has been living continuously in her home, and there seems to be a misunderstanding about her tax deferral status. It might also be beneficial to bring proof of her age and any documentation that shows she was granted a tax deferral. Sometimes face-to-face discussions can help clarify misunderstandings more effectively than written communication.
Finally, if the issue isn't resolved after contacting the tax office, consider consulting with a professional who can offer advice on property taxes or legal issues. They can provide guidance on how to proceed if there’s been an administrative mistake or if further action is needed to protect your grandmother's interests. Keeping meticulous records of all interactions with the tax office during this process will also be crucial in ensuring everything is correctly documented.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
