AZ - Pima County returning property tax overcharges

Associated Press June 06, 2001 14:30:00

TUCSON - About 4,000 homeowners in Pima County will share about $3 million in refunds from the Pima County Treasurer's Office, which overcharged their property taxes.

But the checks won't be in the mail until at least the fall because it will take months to figure out which property owners have rebates coming, County Treasurer Beth Ford said.

Ford blames a computer software problem for the foul-up. Because the software was not properly tested, some properties did not have updated assessor's records when their tax bills were computed, she said.

Most of the overcharges, which go back three years, likely involve homes that were once classified as rentals but are now owner-occupied, she said. Those homes are eligible for a 20 percent tax bill reduction, said Assessor Rick Lyons.

The amount of the rebate will vary depending on when the status of the property changed.

For example, a home valued at $120,000 that is owner-occupied but has been taxed as a rental has been overcharged about $240 a year, Lyons said.

The treasurer's office began reviewing tax records Friday to determine which homeowners will get rebates. Those affected will be paid interest on the money owed them.

http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0606az-propertytax-ON.html

-- Anonymous, June 09, 2001