Fire fees under California state budget

[K9luvr]

I don't see how a govt. agency can foreclose on a property since that is an agreement made with a lending institution.  I can see where the govt. could put a lien on your house/taxes and if you don't pay, take action that way.  But I'm not a real estate attny either!

[roynlorimoore]

It being so-called a fee, but it is payable to the State Board of Equalization (who collect TAXES) and you are instructed to mail your "fee" to "Special TAXES Remittance Processing".  They are admitting that it is in fact a tax by who is collecting it and where it is being mailed. If you bill isn't paid in a timely manner, interest will accrue in accordance with the Revenue and TAXATION  Code.   Actually, it is nothing more than extortion.  And, this will be due again beginning January 1, 2013.  They just keep taxing and taxing and making more fees.  Our costs to register our vehicles is outrageous.  Other states charge $60.00 for any regular car for a two year period.  Are they bankrupt?

[baseballfan]

We will have to pay again in January???     Wow...Yes, California is expensive, it's crazy.  What I really got upset about last year was when my daughter, who was going to CSUSB, was given a $3500 grant by the state, and they gave her the 1st installment but not the balance because they ran out of funds!  Now, she was an excellent student and she received this grant because of her grades, and this is how the state rewards her?  I really wanted to write to someone and complain because I'm certain she wasn't the only one who got shorted these funds. 

I know this was off topic but it still makes me mad....

[GirlFarmer]

Got mine for a property that I sold.  The period stated is for 07/01/11 - 06/30/12. 

[SpeedRacer]

I think I'll pay them $115.01 and wait for my refund check.

[tcaarabians]

I still have not received a bill.. tho I did get five copies of that pretty flyer saying that I would. Its retroactive???  I just want to know. I suppose that is buried here somewhere any number of posts ago. I guess if I don't receive it this week.. I'll have to call.  I'll make sure I go to the bathroom first. There isn't a week that goes by that I don't have to send something back to the P.O. because it was put in the wrong box.

Speedracer:  Nice plan..  very nice!   cheryl o7o

[TimG]

I called to make sure they had my PO Box address, and they said that I don't owe this year, because the bill is sent to who own's the house on July 1, 2011.  So they're billing the bank.  I bought the house in August, so had it most of the time-period in question.  Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I'm not complaining 

[Toolman]

We got our bill today also. Gee.... wonder if it's tax deductible.... as it should be.

[Wrightwood]

I was wondering the same thing 

[Chesslike]

No it is not deductible because they are calling it a fee.

[Wrightwood]

 

[kew]

Where on the Bill does it indicate the address of the property being billed, or for that matter, the city (area)?

I have 1 property in Wrightwood and 1 property in Phelan. There is no way that I can find, to tell which bill go with which property. It is necessary to know which Parcel Number to add to the "Petition for Redetermination" letters.

[Wrightwood]

The APN number is in the middle of the fine print 

[kew]

The APN number is in the middle of the fine print 

Thanks John.
That is such a special place to put needed information.

[Wrightwood]

I spent my share of time looking for it and was ready to call when I notice it in the 8 or 9 point text.

[kew]

Did anyone notice the address on the submission envelope?

"SPECIAL TAXES REMITTANCE PROCESSING"

[tcaarabians]

I did receive my bill today. It,  along with another very pretty multi-color informational brochure on rather heavy card stock paper.  At the top it states:
"Billing and Refund Notice."  On the envelope, as someone else noted,  I am mailing it to "Special Taxes Remittance Processing." Perhaps "Special Taxes..." are different than just 'taxes." I am actually thrilled that I wasn't billed for the chicken coop.

How they may have saved some money:

1) A simple postcard mailing for the advance notice.. if they really thought it necessary to deliver bad news early.. letting us know it was coming;
2) A sheet  of 8 x 11 on regular paper stock that had all the info needed that was put on the more expensive version. We really do not need the pictures ,, we have the picture. And, we don't need the State Seal in multi Color ... we know who is screwing us.

But, I am going to save this pretty latest insert because I will want to know exactly how the state is accomplishing its obligations in my fire area here in P.H. Gotta just say here.. if this fee was going towards more firefighters I would be happier. I do love our firefighters. cheryl o7o
 

[SnoMike]

I called to make sure they had my PO Box address, and they said that I don't owe this year, because the bill is sent to who own's the house on July 1, 2011.  So they're billing the bank.  I bought the house in August, so had it most of the time-period in question.  Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I'm not complaining 

Thanks Tim..... that answered my question why I didn't get one either

[Bob C]

For those who didn't own their homes last July 1, it will be interesting to see how the state deals with those "former owners" who don't pay the tax. Will the state put a lein on your home, because the former owner didn't pay it? Could get interesting.

[dustyduck]

I did some quick research on this "FEE".  All I could find is that the state can place a "TAX" lien lean on property after the fact.  So I think the bigger question is the definition and a fee is not a tax, so a lien could not be made on the property.