More than the plateauing residential real estate market, taxing small businesses out of the city will be DC's undoing. At a certain point, the only stores that will be able to afford the taxes are national chains.
The even crazier thing is that many of the vacant commercial properties along H Street are assessed way below surrounding commercial properties (even accounting for differences in condition), with some being even lower than rowhouses on adjacent streets.
Yet another reason why it doesn't bother absentee owners at all to let these properties sit empty and decay.
Sounds like the owners that fix up and use their places get punished, while the louts get a pass. Too bad that the Robeys are getting "punished" for taking a risk with H street playhouse. I guess they can turn it into a fern bar, (excuse me, a tavern) with deluxe condos on top. I'm surprised that the Salvation Army hasn't sold out, but then they don't pay taxes.
We absolutely need a property tax cap to protect the small businesses.
Even in Massachusetts they succeeded in getting one passed statewide. Increased property values don't necessarily indicate a greater need for services, unlike population increases. I don't see why static property should be taxed at all. Taxes should be assessed at transactions, be it earning, consuming, etc.
For what it's worth, the piece does mention the appeal process. I went through it myself this year and succeeded in getting my residential assessment lowered by $30K. The burden is on the tax payer to make the case, based on surrounding property values, condition, etc. It's a PITA, but it works. I remember a couple of years ago going to an information session DCRA did at the library, and someone from H Street Playhouse was there. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't qualify for a reduction if they applied for one...maybe they didn't apply?
D'oh! You're right...it's the DC Office of Tax & Revenue I'm thinking of...and I have to say, although the assessment process seemed pretty arbitrary, the appeals process was very organized and professionally-handled.
10 comments:
More than the plateauing residential real estate market, taxing small businesses out of the city will be DC's undoing. At a certain point, the only stores that will be able to afford the taxes are national chains.
Agreed. There is no way this can be a good thing.
http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2007/05/avoiding-real-problem-property-tax.html
Can you believe that H street Playhouse is assessed nearly the same amount as Blues Alley in Georgetown ?
crazy DC assessment system!!!
The even crazier thing is that many of the vacant commercial properties along H Street are assessed way below surrounding commercial properties (even accounting for differences in condition), with some being even lower than rowhouses on adjacent streets.
Yet another reason why it doesn't bother absentee owners at all to let these properties sit empty and decay.
Best,
Alan Kimber
ANC Commissioner, 6C05
Sounds like the owners that fix up and use their places get punished, while the louts get a pass. Too bad that the Robeys are getting "punished" for taking a risk with H street playhouse. I guess they can turn it into a fern bar, (excuse me, a tavern) with deluxe condos on top. I'm surprised that the Salvation Army hasn't sold out, but then they don't pay taxes.
We absolutely need a property tax cap to protect the small businesses.
Even in Massachusetts they succeeded in getting one passed statewide. Increased property values don't necessarily indicate a greater need for services, unlike population increases. I don't see why static property should be taxed at all. Taxes should be assessed at transactions, be it earning, consuming, etc.
For what it's worth, the piece does mention the appeal process. I went through it myself this year and succeeded in getting my residential assessment lowered by $30K. The burden is on the tax payer to make the case, based on surrounding property values, condition, etc. It's a PITA, but it works. I remember a couple of years ago going to an information session DCRA did at the library, and someone from H Street Playhouse was there. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't qualify for a reduction if they applied for one...maybe they didn't apply?
uh what does DCRA have to do with tax assessments? Other than they can't do their job very well either.
D'oh! You're right...it's the DC Office of Tax & Revenue I'm thinking of...and I have to say, although the assessment process seemed pretty arbitrary, the appeals process was very organized and professionally-handled.
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