A serious medical diagnosis and property revaluation have left a family in dire financial straits and close to losing their home.
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Lincoln, Neb. resident Connie Vogt is a single working mother helping her two sons through college and taking care of her elderly mother who has dementia. She told Channel 8 KLKN-TV that she had a mastectomy in November after an irregular mammogram result showed she was at significant risk of developing breast cancer. Two months later, she suffered complications and had to have emergency surgery that her insurance wouldn’t cover because it was out of network.
The result was medical debt, lost wages from taking time off work, and a deferred mortgage payment.
To make matters worse, her home valuation nearly doubled, significantly increasing her property taxes. She said the new mortgage payments are almost $700 more a month and take up 50% of her income.
“It just seems like every time you try to get on top of it, there’s another blow,” she said. “I was trying to be the best mom I could be, trying to be the best for my mom. And I just can’t do it anymore.”
Vogt’s son Frank started a Go Fund Me that has so far raised $11,822 out of a $60,000 goal. “We tried to hold out as long as possible to get ourselves out of this pit, but we’re very close to the breaking point and making this GoFundMe is our very last resort,” he wrote. “Asking for help like this is extremely difficult, but we’re at the end our rope and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.”
Why Are Property Taxes Going Up?
Across the country, property taxes are increasing at a significant rate, making it difficult for many Americans to keep their homes.
There is no federal property tax in the U.S., and according to the Tax Policy Center, the tax on real property (land and buildings, both residential and commercial) is primarily levied by local governments (cities, counties, and school districts).
The funds are then used for public services, such as schools, libraries, emergency services, and roads. Property tax rates vary based on where you live. In 2022, New Jersey had the highest effective tax rate of any state at 2.23%, while Hawaii had the lowest at 0.32%.
Property taxes are based on assessed value — when values are low, taxes are set at a low rate. Home prices have increased significantly in the last few years, driven by several factors including low inventory. The median sale price of a home in the U.S. was $412,300 in Q2 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, up 30% from Q2 2020 when it was $317,100.
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Dealing with a ‘crisis’
Vogt is one of many dealing with increasing property taxes in Nebraska. Last month, Governor Jim Pillen called lawmakers for a special session to solve the issue, which he called a “crisis.” The result was $185 million in new tax relief, or about 3.5% of the $5.3 billion in local property taxes collected in 2023, according to the Nebraska Examiner.
For homeowners who are facing increased property tax prices, there are relief options available. If your payment has gone up because of a regularly scheduled reassessment, you can appeal the revaluation of your property to the local authorities. CBS News notes each authority has different deadlines for filing appeals, so it’s important to check yours once you receive your reassessment notice. The article also recommends looking at local real estate sales for comparable homes and getting a third-party assessment before deciding to make an appeal.
Some governments also offer property tax relief programs to help homeowners. The AARP Foundation has a database of state property tax relief programs and can help homeowners learn how to apply for assistance. The foundation says relief services can help owners in need save from $200 up to $6,000 on their tax assessment.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Source Agencies
