Fire fees under California state budget

[Elk]

Go to the beginning of the thread you posted in. This is where you will find all the important information.

[Bob C]

Part timer: remember this is a state "fee" and not a county tax so it wouldn't appear on your property tax bill

[luvroses]

One thing I haven't seen talked about much here is: what are people doing when they sell the property, and then still get the bill? Pro-rating and apportionment of county property tax is routinely dealt with as part of the escrow process -- but, not this fee. 
Thanks!

[Elk]

[Jirka]

I noticed that the petition had radio buttons for previous years; since I paid the bill before I knew to file the petition for 2011-12, I completed a petition for that year as well as the current year. I thought it was worth trying . . .  (shrug)

[Elk]

Reminder... Tomorrow is the deadline to pay the fire Fee/Illegal Tax.

[3PinkRoses]

Well I'm really confused now. Have I missed something in this thread?
 I paid first time on November 20, 2012 
 I just paid again on Oct. 15, 2013...no it was not late.   Now I am to pay again?  by June 2014?
Are they billing us twice a year now?
Are there two bills for each Tax installment? 
   Did anyone else get two bills?  No I have not been late since these started coming in....
I'm completely confused about this...

[tcaarabians]

3pink... We share the same confusion on this one. I too thought to myself "Wait, I paid this." The original fee was retroactive and I guess they're catching up to the normal cycle.  That or they are really messing with us. I write "Paid Under Protest" on my check and await some final determination as to its legality.

I do not like when taxes and fees are retroactive. I don't even like them when they start on the date that the law changed.
cheryl o7o

[GoldenRule]

3 Roses, we got exactly the same as yours. I won't worry unless we get two bills in the same calendar year. Perhaps they changed the billing cycle.

[Moose]

Do not forget to file the three letters of protest and re-determination in a timely manner also.

Then keep then on file in case this tax (fee) should be ruled out in court.

[Wrightwood]

[ad astra]

We're also reminded that not one dime of our state's so-called "Fire Prevention Fee" has helped fund this year's firefighting efforts.

Just curious, if none of the money went to fighting this year's fires, where did it go, and, more curiously, where did we get the money to fight those fires? Bottom line, does it really matter which category the money came from - ultimately it came from us, the taxpayers.

[Forester]

My wife and I bought a house in WW in April, but we never received a bill for the fire tax.  I do not believe the previous owners paid the fire tax for 2014, I hope we do not get hit with any fines.

[tcaarabians]

Forester...  If the fire fee was due for your property..it should have shown up in your escrow docs. And, the payment for same should have shown up in your docs.

Ad astra... our Fire Fees are for 'prevention' not fire-fighting. If I understood it right. And, I agree with you.. it really doesn't matter which pocket it comes from .. we're all wearing the same pair of pants.  cheryl o7o

[Forester]

Im not sure if it was in the escrow papers or not, thats a good idea Cheryl, I will look
, thank you.

[Wrightwood]

[Stitches]

Has anyone picked up a letter from Betty Yee today?   I got mine this morning and noticed another one in the door (I guess it had been misdelivered).  I'm wondering if anyone else got the same letter. 

[Highlander]

Taxed seemingly on everything. Even stuff our property taxes should cover.
Jerry Brown wants his stupid train! Period! Can't you just hear him...  " I want my train! It's my legacy! I like Jello..........", Senile old fart!             (I resemble that remark by the way....takes one to know one)

[Wrightwood]

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

New protest forms now available for 2015
CalFire recently announced they will send a new round of fire tax bills, with counties beginning with the letter "A" receiving bills first.

It is important you file a protest every time you pay the fire tax so that you maximize your chances of receiving a refund if the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association's class action lawsuit currently underway is successful.

Challenging the Fee and Claiming a Refund
http://firetaxprotest.org/?page_id=13

2015 Form:
http://firetaxprotest.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PetitionFormEN_2015.pdf


Although the lawsuit is moving forward slowly - partly as a result of its size and complexity and partly as a result of deliberate stalling by the state's attorneys - another hearing has been scheduled and the public is invited to attend.

This hearing is on our "Motion to Certify Class," which establishes your right to be represented in the case.

If you are interested in attending the hearing, mark your calendar with the following information:

Hearing: Motion to Certify Class (HJTA v. CalFire)
Date: June 12
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Sacramento Superior Court, Dept. 24
720 9th St, Sacramento, CA 95814

[Wrightwood]