[RP TownTalk] taxes

Thu Jul 23 19:35:25 UTC 2009

thanks for the link, Marc. I can see that, at least in our case, while
our bill has gone up substantially every year, the increase almost
nothing to do with the Solid Waste Service Charge.  That charge has
been on there every year and has increased from $71 to $78 in the 3
years we've been in the house.

On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 2:23 PM, Marc Molino<mmolino54 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> If you need/want to compare your (or even your neighbor's) current
> assessment, taxes, and solid waste service charge with amounts in past
> years, you can access this info pretty easily here:
> http://tax-acct-info.princegeorgescountymd.gov/PropertyTaxes/
>
> We've been in RP for 8 years now and for the first 6 years, our property
> assessment seemed underestimated by anywhere from $20-$100K given the market
> value of comparable homes in our neighborhood. This year it seems about
> $10-$30K overestimated given sales of comparable homes (not including short
> sales and foreclosures). Honestly, I don't know how I feel about it--should
> I have been paying more for those first 6 years? Does it all wash out in the
> end? Does the Homestead Tax Credit provide a buffer that makes my taxes
> actually relate to the real value of my home?
>
> >From 2004 to 2007, our total tax bill increased by $100.
> >From 2007 to 2010, our total tax bill increased by $960.
> So, we went from about a bump of $30 every year to about $300 more
> every year. Seems steep.
>
> -Marc
>
>> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:08:03 -0400
>> From: dwightrholmes at gmail.com
>> To: bruce.wernek at mindspring.com
>> CC: ABragg7393 at aol.com; towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] taxes
>>
>> Bruce - that link is for the non-residential version called 'system
>> benefit charge'.
>>
>> "What is the SBC?
>>
>> The SBC is a fee paid by all non-residential property owners in Prince
>> George's County that will help provide funding for building and
>> maintaining waste disposal systems. The SBC is a service charge and
>> not a tax, and therefore also applies to establishments located on
>> tax-exempt land."
>>
>> I assume the comparable information for the residential version is on
>> the web there somewhere but i didn't see it in a very quick
>> look-see...
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM, <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com> wrote:
>> > Audrey
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I've already called the county and got the skinny.  You can get more
>> > info in
>> > the following link
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > "www.pgc-systembenefit.com"
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > under "sbc".  I talked to Mr Wright at (301) 952-7609 who works in the
>> > environmental division of PG county and he told me this charge pays for
>> > things like "digging the hole" at the dump (I wonder what the money
>> > collected from the citizens, businesses, and trash trucks for disposal
>> > at
>> > the dump is used for).  I asked Mr Wright why I was never billed for
>> > this in
>> > the past and he said I probably just fell through the cracks.
>> > Apparently,
>> > there are quite a few people who "fell through the crack".
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > This "Solid Waste Service Charge" has no business being on my tax bill
>> > since
>> > it is not a tax.  I'm very concerned about this since the county could
>> > put
>> > any amount on my tax bill and label is a "you name it service charge"
>> > essentially increasing my property taxes without any restrictions.  If I
>> > recall PG county tried to raise property taxes, but their request was
>> > denied
>> > by the state.  It's interesting to note the timing of this new "Solid
>> > Waste
>> > Service Charge".  I intend to go through whatever process to refute this
>> > charge with the county.  I intend on calling the Treasury this afternoon
>> > to
>> > get more information.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I encourage all of our readers to do the same.  From where I stand, this
>> > is
>> > charge is carte blanche for PG county to increase property tax without
>> > having to answer to the state.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Bruce
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: ABragg7393 at aol.com
>> > Sent: Jul 23, 2009 8:38 AM
>> > To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>> > Subject: [RP TownTalk] taxes
>> >
>> > The property tax bills just came out.  I heard there was some buzz on
>> > the
>> > Hyattsville list serve, but don't see anything here on our list serve.
>> > Is
>> > everyone happy with their bills and assessments?  I have a question and
>> > calls to the treasury office don't produce an answer.  We seem to have a
>> > new
>> > charge on our taxes for "Solid Waste Disposal".  does anyone know what
>> > that
>> > is?   I think my taxes are outrageous.  Does anyone else have a problem?
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > TownTalk mailing list
>> > To post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
>> > TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org is for automated subscription
>> > processing
>> > only
>> > http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk
>> >
>> > For more information about Riverdale Park, visit
>> > http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> "A poorly designed and insufficient stimulus means that the downturn
>> will last longer, the recovery will be slower and there will be more
>> innocent victims." --Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate.
>> "There's an overwhelming economic case for more stimulus. But as a
>> political matter it's going to be harder, not easier, to get that
>> extra stimulus now than it would have been to get the plan right in
>> the first place.” --Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate.
>> _______________________________________________
>> TownTalk mailing list
>> To post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
>> TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org is for automated subscription
>> processing only
>> http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk
>>
>> For more information about Riverdale Park, visit
>> http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info
>
> ________________________________
> Bing™ brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it
> now.
> _______________________________________________
> TownTalk mailing list
> To post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
> TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org is for automated subscription processing
> only
> http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk
>
> For more information about Riverdale Park, visit
> http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info
>
>

-- 
"A poorly designed and insufficient stimulus means that the downturn
will last longer, the recovery will be slower and there will be more
innocent victims." --Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate.
"There's an overwhelming economic case for more stimulus. But as a
political matter it's going to be harder, not easier, to get that
extra stimulus now than it would have been to get the plan right in
the first place.” --Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate.