Tag Archives: Assessment

Financial Perspective: Tips to lowering your property taxes

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By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service, LLC

“One thing you can always count on, death and taxes.” Dave Stanley

When you own a home, you are liable for the property taxes assessed on your property. The taxes collected on your property pay your share of the cost of local schools, government, and several other local and other programs. The biggest mistake many homeowners make is overpaying these taxes. You have rights and have the opportunity only to pay your fair share of the taxes assessed. You have options available to you to make sure the assessment on your home is fair. However, you do not have to overpay to be honoring your civic duty by paying taxes. There are several things that can be done to lower your taxes and help keep the cost of owning a home down.

Fair Assessment:

Photo from pxhere.com

The most important thing is a fair and accurate assessment of the value of your home. Each year (or every 3 years), the county tax assessor will evaluate the value of your home and any new improvements made to it. The tax assessor will also take into consideration the “fair market value” of any homes sold (also known as comparables) in your area and the replacement cost of your home. Once the tax assessor determines your property value, the liability can be established. Schools, municipal areas, county, and special tax districts determine your actual taxes. The assessments from the taxing districts cannot be contested. The tax assessor has leeway and discretion in evaluating each piece of property. The evaluation should be fair, and you have the right to complain and argue with this valuation. If you can successfully argue a lower valuation, your tax liability will be lower.

The easiest way to lower the evaluation is to discuss with the person who determines your home value Information you can provide regarding similar home valuations in your area will all help you make your point of the argument. Most tax assessors will allow you to discuss the evaluation of your home and generally will negotiate these values when a factual statement is made.

Tax Exemptions:

Many states allow for the filing of a Homestead Exemption Act to lower the value of your home. This filing protects the allowable state limit of the Homestead Act and will reduce the value of your home by that amount. The reduction in the value of your home will lower the tax overall tax liability of your property taxes.

Many counties in this country allow for a senior citizen’s tax exemption. This exemption is based on the overall income of the occupant of the home. Each state or county will have its own rules and exemptions, so your local county tax assessor should be contacted.

Mortgage Insurance:

Many FHA-guaranteed loans require an insurance payment based on the age of the loan and the value of the loan. Often the amount charged is too high and can be reduced at certain periods; this insurance is no longer needed, and it can be removed. Contact your local mortgage service company for specific details.

The most important thing to remember is that you have rights, and you can argue for those rights. Most homeowners who ask for a re-assessment of their home value will receive a benefit adjustment.

Always pay your fair share which means never pay more than you owe, may sure your tax liability is accurate.

Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management

Residents sought for subcommittees for Kent County’s improvement planning process

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The Kent County Health Department is looking for residents to join one for four subcommittees to help implement its three-year strategic plan. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department is looking for partnering agencies, organizations, and residents to join in developing and implementing its three-year strategic plan 2020 Community Needs Assessment.

This is the next step in the Needs Assessment which was was started in August 2020 with a community-wide survey asking residents to identify the most pressing health issues impacting Kent County.  The survey results identified four areas – mental health, access to health care, discrimination and racial inequity, and economic security – as priorities for the community. Based on these results, an action-oriented and collaborative strategic plan will be developed and implemented to address these community concerns. 

“In order to address the health needs of our community, we not only need community input in identifying the areas of concern but we must have community participation in implementing the strategies to addresses those issues,” said KCHD Public Health Division Director Brian Hartl. “We encourage anyone who would like to be part of this process to join a subcommittee.”

Interested individuals should complete a survey by Monday, July 26. Subcommittee participation will require a one-year commitment and attendance at monthly subcommittee meetings and quarterly coalition meetings.

The Health Department is also seeking individuals to serve as subcommittee chairs. Individuals serving in this capacity must have previous or current affiliation with a community-based organization and be willing to facilitate.

KCHD has been in the business of providing health services to Kent County since 1931. The Health Department is home to nearly 260 employees including public health nurses, sanitarians, health educators, technicians, public health administrators, and specialized staff at the Kent County Animal Shelter. The Health Department operates one main clinic and three satellite clinics located in Kentwood, Rockford, and Grand Rapids. To learn more about KCHD services, visit www.accesskent.com/health. 

Employment Expertise: Career Exploration — Finding the Right Job for You!

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Have you ever asked yourself, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” If you have, you are not alone. We don’t always know what our strengths are right out of school. Or, our passions and interests might change over time. It’s never too late to learn more about yourself and find a job you love through career exploration!

What is Career Exploration?

Learning about yourself and the world of work. Your interests, skills and values need to align with the type of career you want to pursue. For example, if you are more of a do-er, you would do best in a job that requires hands-on problem solving and solutions. Interest inventories and skills assessments can help you figure out if you are a do-er, thinker, creator, etc. The O*Net Interest Profiler is a great tool to get started.

 

Identifying and exploring potentially satisfying occupations. Once you have discovered more about yourself, you can match your interests, skills and values to potential careers. While these careers may be a good fit for you, there may not be job opportunities in your area. Find out which jobs need workers near you or if you should consider a move for your next job. Check out West Michigan Works! Hot Jobs for a list of the 100 fastest-growing and most in-demand jobs in West Michigan.

 

Developing an effective strategy to realize your career goals. Your next career may require new skills or training. Research who provides training for the skills you need. Do employers in your area prefer one training provider over another? How much will training cost? How long will it take to complete training? Will training fit into your schedule? If you need help developing a strategy, visit your local West Michigan Works! service center and find out if you qualify for free career planning or scholarships for career training.

 

Want more information? Take an interest profile and learn more about using the results to find your next career at one of West Michigan Works! free workshops. Check the online schedule to find and register for a Career Exploration Workshop near you.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.