Yay! more taxes and fees for things we are entitled to...

[Bacchus2b]

It would have been nice if they would have spread the bill over the remaining months rather that giving us ten days to pay before getting a late fee....

I have the cash but hate the "Special Billing".

[skiing1974]

exactly. what is ever deliquent 9 days after it is due?
I really want to know where money is going and what the heck for?

[Lantana4five]

It would have been nice if they would have spread the bill over the remaining months rather that giving us ten days to pay before getting a late fee....

I have the cash but hate the "Special Billing".

We have a month to pay, it is not due with our May dues. It is due June 1st, I talked to the HOA and the billing system just accounts for everything that is currently due as of May 1st.

[Richard]

Question - does anybody have any knowledge as to whether or not this EMS/Fire Service Assessment is tax-deductible?

Good question. Since it is based on the value of your property, I would say it's a property tax that is deductible... but where's the tax guy? Richard?

It sounds like a tax to me, but I would want to see the bill for the wording that it has. I'm not a Lantana resident so I didn't get a bill.

[scottc]

The fee is assessed by the HOA to reimburse itself for money paid, and not assessed by a governmental entity, so I doubt we can claim it as a propeerty tax.

[Common Sense Al]

It sounds like a tax to me, but I would want to see the bill for the wording that it has. I'm not a Lantana resident so I didn't get a bill.

It says "2010 Fire/EMS Assessment" - an annual charge - and based on the value of your property.

[Richard]

It sounds like a tax to me, but I would want to see the bill for the wording that it has. I'm not a Lantana resident so I didn't get a bill.

It says "2010 Fire/EMS Assessment" - an annual charge - and based on the value of your property.

It appears that it is not a tax. It is an assessment from an HOA which you cannot deduct as real estate taxes. I'll let you know if I find anything different.

[Common Sense Al]

It appears that it is not a tax. It is an assessment from an HOA which you cannot deduct as real estate taxes. I'll let you know if I find anything different.

I see... so because it is assessed by the HOA instead of a gov't entity, it's not a "property tax"?

Oh well, it wouldn't have been that big of a deduction anyway... but I guess it's more about the "principle" of the thing.

[nyuce]

Why are we charged this, anyway. After all we are paying quite high taxes and if EMS and Fire services are not covered by our taxes, what is?

[Richard]

I see... so because it is assessed by the HOA instead of a gov't entity, it's not a "property tax"?

Oh well, it wouldn't have been that big of a deduction anyway... but I guess it's more about the "principle" of the thing.

That is exactly it. Publication 530 says that fees assessed by an HOA rather than a state or local government cannot be deducted in real estate taxes.

[Richard]

I'm sure Max is going to thank me for saying this........

If the fees could be imposed by the FWSD to the homeowners instead of the HOA then you could deduct them.

[Common Sense Al]

If they fees could be imposed by the FWSD instead of the HOA then you could deduct them.

Thanks Richard!

[Richard]

If they fees could be imposed by the FWSD instead of the HOA then you could deduct them.

Thanks Richard!

Wow. You quoted me fast. I decided to add more to it.

[slider701]

I'm sure Max is going to thank me for saying this........

If the fees could be imposed by the FWSD to the homeowners instead of the HOA then you could deduct them.

I'm wondering if Beka will say she can make it happen if elected...

[Rosemary]

I'm wondering if Beka will say she can make it happen if elected...

Oh, please...don't even go there.

Thanks, Richard and Al for clarifying.