LA County parcel tax: Did you get this in the mail? Don’t throw it away!

Los Angeles County voters may consider a parcel fee, the “Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure”, to improve water quality and clean stormwater and urban runoff. Click here for an overview of the need to protect our beaches and waterways from the untreated urban dreck that washed in every year.

Did you get this flyer in the mail this week? This is not spam – it is a precursor to a ballot election in 2013 with direct fiscal impact on your property taxes.

If the ballot measure passes, you may see an property tax assessment which, according to county officials, averages $54 per year for a typical residence.

Nonetheless, we are hearing about some folks facing higher assessments. In fact, SBAOR’s own property in Torrance is facing an assessment of more than $800! Why? The assessment formula takes impermeable square footage into account. “Impermeable” may mean things like buildings, concrete, asphalt, or materials that prevent stormwater from seeping directly into the ground.

What is the voting process?

For this measure to take effect, three steps must occur:

1. Notice to property owners including a protest form for property owners who oppose. The deadline is January 15, 2013. 
2. Public hearing on January 15, 2013. If a majority (50% plus one) of property owners return protest forms by this date, the County may not proceed with an election. 
3. Election. If passed, it would appear on 2014-2015 property tax bills. 

Did you already throw yours away? 

Those who misplaced this mailer, please call (800) 218-0018 or email water.info@dpw.lacounty.gov. If you support this measure or otherwise do not want to file a protest, there is no need for you to take further action. Remember, your protest form must be received by January 15, 2013.

Note: this post was edited on 12-14-12 to reflect correct information on what to do if you lose your mailer.

Don't let the Mortgage Interest Deduction be pulled over the fiscal cliff!

ACTION ALERT!

Tell Congress today that the recovering housing market cannot be held hostage to the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations between Congress and the White House. Don't let Congress or the Administration tap into your mortgage interest deduction to reduce the federal deficit.

NAR has issued a Call-for-Action asking Congress to preserve the mortgage interest deduction as is. Congress, as part of negotiations on avoiding the "Fiscal Cliff," has made direct references to "closing loopholes" and "limiting deductions" as a way to raise revenues. Clearly, the mortgage interest deduction is high on this list of revenue raisers.

Congress may decide to reduce or limit the MID at any time.

 Limiting the MID impacts ALL homeowners, not just those who take the deduction, by decreasing the value of all housing. Every REALTOR® needs to respond today. Please click here to urge your Member of Congress to preserve the mortgage interest deduction:

 TAKE ACTION NOW