Combating the Rising Cost of Property Taxes

Hinds County has seen recent hikes in property taxes for local homeowners, with many residents facing an unexpected rise in rates for 2018. The County Board of Supervisors adopted a roughly $61.1 million general fund budget in late 2017 that decreased taxes for garbage collection in unincorporated areas while increasing it for volunteer fire departments and economic development, leading to an overall higher property tax rate in the area. Costs are expected to rise by about $30 a year on a $100,000 home in Clinton. Luckily, there are several steps that locals can take to combat skyrocketing property tax rates.

Identify Clerical Errors

The first step homeowners can take to lower their property taxes is to head down to town hall and request a copy of their property tax card from the local assessor’s office. This card includes information about a home such as the size of the lot, the floor plan of the house, and the type of fixtures used inside. If a homeowner sees any discrepancies in information on their card, they can bring it to the attention of a tax assessor, who may then reevaluate taxes on the property in question. This could end up lowering the amount a family owes the government, enabling them instead to have additional money to save for the future.

Homeowners can also look at other comparable homes in their area to get an idea of how much they should realistically be paying in property taxes. Inaccurate home valuations can force homeowners to pay much more than their neighbors, but those who catch such an error can easily have the mistake rectified with a reassessment.

The Effect of Home Improvements

Many homeowners dream of adding a new pool or a gazebo to their backyard, but before starting construction, it’s important to consider how any new additions to a home will affect its value.

Permanent structural changes are assumed to add value to a house, which may increase the property taxes a homeowner pays. Families who are thinking about making home modifications can call local building and tax departments to get an estimate of how much an addition will increase a home’s value.

Minimize Curb Appeal

While homeowners don’t need to let their house fall into disrepair, they also shouldn’t spend time and money fixing up its exterior if they intend to lower their property tax rates. Tax assessors will often value a more attractive home at a higher price, meaning that the residents will be forced to pay more than their neighbors in property taxes. If a homeowner plans on making any upgrades or cosmetic improvements to your home, they should make sure to wait until after their assessor has completed an evaluation.

Rising property taxes in the Clinton area are forcing many homeowners to make small changes to their home to combat excessive expenses come tax season. By taking steps to keep your home valued at a reasonable price, local families can keep their property taxes low even in light of recent legislature.