Local Governments Are Seizing and Selling Homes Over Small Tax Debts
Home equity theft happens when governments auction off seized houses and keep the profits—even once the tax bill is paid.
property taxes
Governments Are Still Stealing People's Home Equity Over Modest Tax Debts
A handful of states use loopholes to get around a Supreme Court ruling that declared the practice unconstitutional.
This Nebraska Man Almost Lost His Home and All of Its Equity Over a Small Tax Debt. He Just Won in Court.
Kevin Fair fell behind on his property taxes in 2014. The local government eventually gave a private investor the deed to his home.
Baltimore's Tax Sales Are Robbing People of Their Equity
The Edmondson Community Organization accrued a modest property tax debt. The group paid dearly for that.
She Underpaid a Property Tax Bill. So the Government Seized Her Home, Sold It—and Kept the $102,636 Profit.
Chelsea Koetter is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to render the state's debt collection scheme unconstitutional.
Reason Wins 7 Southern California Journalism Awards
First-place finishes include an investigative piece on egregious misconduct in federal prison, a documentary on homelessness, best magazine columnist, and more.
Zoning Regulations Empower Control Freaks—and Bigots
The Institute for Justice has launched a project to reform land use regulation.
This 70-Year-Old Woman Might Lose Her $377,000 Home Over a Small Tax Debt
The Supreme Court supposedly put an end to “home equity theft” last year. But some state and local governments have found a loophole.
In Colorado, Voters Could Undo Key Component of TABOR Law
The "Taxpayers Bill of Rights" requires that the state return excess revenue to taxpayers. A ballot question could change that.
Is a Land Value Tax the Solution to Detroit's Messed Up Property Tax System?
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan argues that shifting taxes from homes to the land they sit on will encourage development and cut taxes for most homeowners. Local property tax activists aren't convinced.
Ethanol Subsidies Could Trip Up Debt Ceiling Negotiations
Plus: Home equity theft at the Supreme Court, New York shows how not to legalize marijuana, and more...
She Had $2,300 in Unpaid Taxes. The County Bilked Her for $25,000.
Geraldine Tyler's case is not unique; home equity theft is legal in Minnesota and 11 other states.
Minnesota Taxpayers Could Be Pillaged for $280 Million in Vikings' Stadium Upgrades
Taxpayers spent about $500 million to build U.S Bank stadium, which is just seven years old.
They Fell Behind on Their Property Taxes. So the Government Sold Their Homes—and Kept the Profits.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear 94-year-old Geraldine Tyler's case challenging home equity theft.
Artificial Intelligence Helps French Tax Authorities Find Thousands of Untaxed Swimming Pools
When taxing authorities get more resources and power, they will find ways to make everyone pay more.
Florida County Approves Bad Spanish Translation of Property Tax Ballot Measure
The Spanish text contains inaccurate translations of technical tax language and direct translations of phrases like "school resource officers," which could confuse voters.
The State Took Her Home Because She Missed $900 in Property Taxes
Tawanda Hall's house was worth $286,000 more than her overdue tax bill. There was nothing she could do about it.
Elizabeth Warren's Wealth Tax Would Hurt More Than Just the 'Tippy Top'
Wealth tax proponents claim only super rich people would be affected. But to raise the revenue Warren, Sanders, and Biden want, they'd have to tax the "working rich"—doctors, lawyers, and other hardworking high earners.
A Nebraska County Took His $25,000 Property To Settle a $986 Tax Debt. Now the U.S. Supreme Court Could Get Involved.
Walter Barnette didn't know that his own land had been sold out from under him until it had already happened.
Minneapolis Tells Residents With Riot-Wrecked Buildings They Can't Clean Up Until They've Paid Their 2020 Property Taxes in Full
After failing at the one thing people think they need from government, Minneapolis is getting tough on making damaged citizens pay up.
County Wants Answers From Treasurer Who Seized Man's Home Over $8 Tax Bill
Officials in Oakland County, Michigan, are worried they could be on the hook for more than $30 million in payments to former homeowners victimized by an aggressive forfeiture scheme.
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Government Can't Seize Entire Value of Home Over Property Tax Delinquency Worth $8.41
The Court unanimously ruled such a tax "forfeiture" qualifies as a taking for which compensation must be paid.
Michigan Supreme Court Rebukes County That Seized Home Over $8.41 Tax Debt
Uri Rafaeli was one of hundreds of Michigan homeowners to be victimized by the state's overly aggressive property tax forfeiture law.
County Says Seizing Home Over $8.41 Tax Debt Was OK Because Counties Need Money
"You have a situation where a person owed $8 and lost their house. I mean, how is that equitable?" asked Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein.
A Michigan Man Underpaid His Property Taxes By $8.41. The County Seized His Property, Sold It—and Kept the Profits.
A state law allows counties to effectively steal homes over unpaid taxes and keep the excess revenue for their own budgets.
Unions Aiming to Repeal California's Property Tax Caps
Californians' tax rates are among the nation's highest in almost every category, but their property tax levels have remained reasonable. That could change soon.
Stossel: Bad Laws Worsen the Homeless Crisis
San Francisco encourages homelessness by limiting housing, offering generous welfare, and failing to enforce basic laws.
