Letter to Editor of Express-News, sent April 25th

by Don Burke
Letter to Editor
Express-News

2007 Property Tax “Relief” is Smoke and Mirrors

This letter is in response to the article written by EN Staff Writer Ron Wilson, published Friday, April 20, 2007 , entitled “Tax notices likely will bring relief”.

A former teacher taught me that when people are trying to sell you something, pay more attention to what they DO NOT tell you rather then what they do tell you.

Thanks to attending a meeting with the Homeowner Taxpayers Association meeting (http://www.htasa.org/) I know this tax “relief” is bogus.

In the article Mr. Wilson interviews Ms. Mary Kieke, Bexar County Appraisal District. (BCAD) The BCAD says that due to the lowering the NEISD tax rate you will see a nice deduction in your 2007 Property tax.

BCAD does DO NOT tell you: If you dig up your 2006 Tax bill and compare the two, you’ll find you will be paying about the same amount as last year. Whoop De Do!!! For this year and this year alone your property tax will not go up.

BCAD does DO NOT tell you: Note your NEW appraised value. It, most likely, went up by 10% or more. Remember taxpayers, this means you WILL be paying 10% (or more) next year.

BCAD does DO NOT tell you: Why are they increasing your appraisal by 10% or more. Under Texas State law they can, so they will. Florida is capped at 3%. California caps are 2%.

BCAD does DO NOT tell you: How they justify that appraisal hike is because some of your neighbor sold their houses and got back some of their equity. So the BCAD hikes up your appraisal. Think about it, you are paying taxes on speculative equity that you haven’t earned and may not EVER earn.

BCAD does DO NOT tell you: If you are over 65 years old and have the school tax exemption, you will see no tax “relief” this year. Rest assured through, you’ll get the 10% or more tax increase next year.

I urge all Texas homeowners to join the Homeowner Taxpayers Association(http://www.htasa.org/) and unite against unfair, unrealistic, and unsustainable tax hikes.

Don Burke