Category Archives: Personal Finance: Tax liabilities

Public Infrastructure Fee is not a tax (Florida)

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Shoppers retail store

New, privately imposed public infrastructure fees benefit property owners of commercial community associations, such as shopping and entertainment centers By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities As the holiday shopping season swings into full gear, Florida shoppers should take note of extra fees tacked onto each purchase they make. Commercial developers in Florida’s Volusia and Duval Counties are charging additional point-of-sale fees in order to raise millions of dollars in additional revenue. Developers and property owners Continue ReadingPublic Infrastructure Fee is not a tax (Florida)→

Texans feel the strain of high property taxes plus condo HOA fees

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities As Texans debate how to rein in high property taxes, many homeowners struggle to keep up with rising condo and HOA fees as well. But several recent articles on the subject of property tax reform fail to acknowledge that the bulk of HOA and condo assessments. Association-governed community fees are, in essence, property taxes due and payable to a fourth layer of government. Think about it. If you live Continue ReadingTexans feel the strain of high property taxes plus condo HOA fees→

Owners with no HOA, public sewer, face $11,404 tax assessment

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Owners of twenty estate homes in the Greenbrook Manor subdivision, located in the Village of River Hills, recently learned they might have to pay a $11,404 special tax assessment to the city, to pay for a new sewer lift pump. No, Greenbrook Manor is not a planned community, and there’s no homeowners’ association (HOA). Although homeowners obtain their water supply from private wells, the Village of River Hills operates Continue ReadingOwners with no HOA, public sewer, face $11,404 tax assessment→

Could Prop 13 ‘split roll’ encourage new non-HOA development?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities CA voters may consider Prop 13 ‘split roll’ tax increase in 2020 In 1978, California’s voters passed Proposition 13, a ballot measure that has significantly limited property tax increases ever since. Under Prop 13, a property owner’s tax assessment is limited to one percent of a property’s taxable value at the time of purchase. In addition, annual property taxable value (assessed value) cannot increase more than 2% per year, Continue ReadingCould Prop 13 ‘split roll’ encourage new non-HOA development?→