Q: real estate homestead penalty
I received a mail from the Tax Collector that is 3 real estate homestead penalty from the government for 2021, 2022, and 2023 and amount total is $9,600. However, those years of my mortgage statement shows that the taxes were paid.
Do I need to go to the office of the property appraiser to resolve this or I need to file a lawsuit?
Thank you
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A:
First, carefully review your mortgage statements to confirm that the taxes were indeed paid for those years. Ensure you have all the necessary documentation showing the payments, including receipts or confirmations from your mortgage company. Sometimes, there could be an administrative error or miscommunication between the tax office and the mortgage lender.
If your records show that the taxes were paid, it's a good idea to contact the Tax Collector's office directly. They can explain why you received the penalty notice and may be able to resolve the issue without further action. In some cases, you might need to visit the property appraiser's office to clarify the situation, but this depends on the specific nature of the penalty.
Legal action should typically be a last resort. Focus on resolving the issue through communication with the tax office and the mortgage company first. If things aren't resolved, then seeking legal advice could be the next step.
Terrence H Thorgaard agrees with this answer
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