I know this is going to come as a tremendous shock to you all, but...

[Deep13]

...real estate taxation law is really boring.

Gawd, this shit could make daytime TV look interesting by comparison.

[davsand]

1. I can put a taxpayer into a boredom induced coma in under 30 seconds.

I joke--it actually is a little less than that, but I like to give them the benefit of a doubt...

:evilgrin:


I am one of a three member board where you appeal your property tax assessments. I have to tell you that given how specialized the Illinois property tax code is, most lawyers that appear before us are probably in too deep before they ever show up. I take regular continuing ed classes in both property tax assessment and real estate appraisal, and it really can be about as exciting as watching paint dry. I have always wondered if it would be as boring (or as convoluted) in a different state--sounds like it would be.

I am kinda giggling a little bit here because I am signed up for a class tomorrow in appraising for relocation firms, and I'm kinda excited because it sounds like an interesting topic. What more can I say? In my day job I am a real estate tax geek!


:shrug:



Laura

[Deep13]

2. Well, I'm in a rural, Ohio DA's office.

Don't know how it is in Illinois, but here, the County Prosecutor represents the treasurer's office and the auditor. I was answering appeals from criminal judgments. After telling the elected prosecutor he was wrong one too many times, I got exiled to the civil division.

[davsand]

3. I always joke with our Assistant State's Attorney the he pissed off somebody...

...if he's stuck representing us. He just nods his head and kinda gives me that grim smile you guys are all famous for. I gotta say, however, that I would much rather do what we do than to have to deal with child support enforcement. THAT stuff is pure D ugliness...

Look at it this way, your job could always suck worse. We had a local property tax exemption case that went all the way through our court system. Imagine how excited the guys were in the Illinois AG's office when the Illinois Dept. of Revenue handed THAT one over to them to argue! Not only is it deadly dull stuff, but it is SO technical and SO rooted in the obscure corners of Illinois Complied Statutes that even local judges don't want to touch it.



Laura

[Deep13]

4. Um, I actually split my time between real estate tax and child support enforcement.

At least this job will be over on July 1.

:hi:

[davsand]

5. Duuuude. I am SO sorry.

Your life does suck more than my own. You win hands down. Family law is no place I ever want to venture.


Laura

[trof]

7. Appointed? Paid position?

Just curious.
In our county they're appointed by revenue commissioner.
They get some nominal expenses, but it's not really a paid position.
Talk about your thankless jobs.

[davsand]

14. Appointed by the County Board.

We are required by IL law to pass the IL Dept of Revenue administered exam. The County is required to pay us a fixed amount, and if I recall correctly, it can't be a per diem. We are required by County Resolution to maintain a minimum of a CIAO designation (Certified Illinois Assessing Officer.) We are encouraged to maintain an Illinois Real Estate Appraiser's License as well.

In many counties they do not keep a board year round, nor do they give them benefits. Our volume is high enough that we do work year round, and the required certifications are such that they treat us fairly well. I am not making a lot of money, but I have to say that given the real estate market right now I am delighted to be a government employee in a regular job. I do a fair amount of taxpayer education as a part of my job and I am used to going out and talking to people about property taxes. It maybe isn't glamorous, but I actually enjoy it.

I get sworn at sometimes, and I have most certainly pissed a few people off over the years that I've been doing this job. Real estate is an odd thing--very emotional for people--and you'd be AMAZED at some of the stuff I have heard come out of people's mouths. Most of the time I just roll with it, but if it gets bad enough I will walk out and call for deputies to assist the taxpayer in their departure. About the only thing I won't accept, however, is anybody swearing when I am running a formal hearing. You get a warning if it is just you alone with me in my office, but that will not fly in a hearing in front of the full board.

Quite frankly, I think I have the best job in the world. I get paid to help people and I get paid to know everything I can about the county real estate market. I get paid to look at houses!!! Right now it has been pretty easy to make people happy because we can usually find enough evidence to support a reduction in value. I can't make it up, but if I can find anything that will let us help somebody I do it.

As an added bonus, I get to deal with stuff like property tax exemption laws and the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board--plus it IS NOT Child Support Enforcement!

:woohoo:


Laura

[gratuitous]

6. I assisted on what I thought was an interesting case

I was temping for a lawyer friend, and he had a case going to the state appellate board. His client was appealing a property tax assessment, arguing that it should be zero instead of the annual assessment of thousands. The reason was the house was in a hilly area of town, and the hill behind the house was slowly moving toward it (although plenty fast in geologic terms). There were pictures of the back yard with the hillside several yards from the back door, and over time showing the hillside sliding down, towards the house. The client had hired a geologist and an appraiser. The geologist said the house would be demolished by the hill within the next 5-10 years, and the appraiser said nobody in their right might would buy the house after a competent inspection was done.

I never found out how the case resolved, but I think by this time the house has been eaten by the hill.

[MilesColtrane]

8. Oh, I don't know about that. Real estate taxation isn't that boring.

Now, talking about real estate taxation, THAT'S bor....ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

[elleng]

9. GOOD ONE!

How's railroad mergers sound???

:hi:

[freshwest]

10. Exemptions don't excite you?

[MilesColtrane]

11. I get no kick from abatements.

Mere billable assessed value doesn't thrill me at all.

So, tell me then why is it true

That I get a...kick out of you?

[freshwest]

12. Right back at you:

:kick:

[Deep13]

13. Haven't had to deal with that yet.

Actually, I'm pretty much a glorified (or not) secretary where I am now. Apparently, the civil division is where legal careers go to die.