Our new Web site is designed to let MKNA staff and board members add and edit content without the need of an outside programmer or any programming knowledge. Call Roger Stevens at 283-7492 with questions.
What You Need to Know To Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment
Posted by James M. Garrettson
Wednesday, 02 July 2008
WHAT YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FILING AN APPEAL
The first question to ask is “what would my house have sold for in 2004 or 2005, the years the 2006/payable 2007 taxes are based on.” If the assessment is approximately what you would have expected to receive, then there is probably no basis for appeal.
If the assessment is higher, you should consider appealing. The appeal is a simple form available in our office. We can also send it by e-mail or fax. It must be received by the Township Assessor no later than July 25th.
If you have purchased your home within the past four years or so, the settlement statement (HUD1) from your closing is excellent evidence to use to get your assessment lowered.
An appraisal by a state-licensed appraiser not more than four or five years old is also good evidence. It should be detailed and use several comparables. Perhaps you received one if you refinanced your house.
A market analysis by a Realtor can also be of some help in lowering your assessment. It should contain information on several nearby comparables and be accompanied by an analysis and/or written opinion by the Realtor.
If you own a one-to-four unit rental property, you have another option. It is called assessment by Gross Rent Multiplier. The form for that includes the income you receive on the property. A gross rent multiplier is established for different grades of property using sale and rent information. It is usually +/- 100. The monthly rent times the gross rent multiplier becomes the assessed value. We have found that this method usually gives a lower value. The grade referred to is one of the criteria used in each assessment.
As you probably know, Assessors assess. We set what be believe to be the fair market value of your house. We have nothing to do with the taxes. Tax rates are determined by the budgets of the many small taxing units that affect your particular property.
We could be called the “tax fairness officers” because it is our job to distribute the tax burden fairly among the 50,000+ parcels in the township.
Please give us a call or e-mail if you have questions.
Joline Ohmart Washington Township Assessor 2188 East 54th Street Indianapolis IN 46220
2008 MKNA Home and Twilight Tour Is History - Thanks to All
Posted by James M. Garrettson
Thursday, 01 May 2008
Despite the occasional outburst of weather, the 2008 Meridian Kessler Home Tour was a great success.
Thanks to:
Our Sponsors - their financial support makes this Tour Possible The Home (and Garden) Owners - those who attend do so because of your magnificent homes
Jessica Albaugh - Home Tour Chair Mary Anne Schlagenhauf - Twilight Chair Brad Anspaugh - Silent Auction Chair Caroline Farrar - Our Executive Director, working under the most trying of personal circumstances
All those who served so well on the Home Tour Committee - it takes an army of volunteers to deliver a Tour of this quality.
The Head Hosts/Hostesses and hundreds of docents who volunteered their time to staff our homes The over 200 donors to our Silent Auction (A complete list can be found under "Read More" below))
To the weather, which begrudgingly cooperated with only minor exceptions
To all who attended, danced the night away, and bid for auction items at the sold-out Twilight Party
And, of course, to the thousands of you who attended Home Tour 2008. We hope you enjoyed our homes and our neighborhood, and welcome you back next year.
Nearly 150 volunteers participated in Saturday's MKNA Sponsored Alley Clean-Up, successfully cleaning all alleys in the eastern half of Meridian Kessler. Energized by donuts, bagels and coffee in the cool morning hours, volunteers from every part of Meridian Kessler scoured alleys for nearly five hours and then returned to base camp at 46th & College for a hearty lunch.Write Comment (0 Comments)
New Assessments/Bills
Posted by James M. Garrettson
Friday, 28 March 2008
The Marion County reassessment is one step closer to being complete with the State’s certification of Marion County’s work. The Indy Star has sensationalized aspects of this over the past few days.
Here are some facts.
1. The Governor called for the reassessment because it appeared the assessment of business property had been skipped in most cases. In the assessment done last year, 72% of business property showed no change in value over a six year time period. The new assessment just approved proves this suspicion was in fact true, as business property was shown to have been undervalued by more than $5 billion.
2. Increasing the value of business property reduces tax rates. In taxing district 801 (Meridian Kessler), the tax rate is expected to fall from 4.04 to something in the range of 3.68-3.79, a 6-9% drop.
3. New on-line tools are available to estimate your new 2007 bill.
a. Step 1: click http://www.indystar.com/data/property/marion_07assessments_washington.shtml. Insert your name or address to look up your new assessed value.
b. Step 2: click http://www.stats.indiana.edu/dlgf_calculators/tax_calc.html. Insert your new assessed value, click any applicable deductions and click ‘estimate this bill’ to see an estimated range of what your full year 2007 bill should have been.
c. Step 3: to compare to the incorrect bill you received last year, you can look up your old bill at http://www.in.gov/dlgf/taxbill.html
Example: 5202 N. Delaware
Step 1: New assessed value = $427,800
Step 2: using Step 1 assessed value and a standard deduction equals a new tax bill range = $9,340 to $9,640
Step 3: previous tax bill was $11,643
Conclusion: this homeowner’s bill fell by 17% to 20% compared to the bill received last summer.
4. Reconciliation bills are expected to hit our mailboxes in June or July. The amount due will be the value from step 2 above LESS the amount paid last year (our 2006 tax bill amount) LESS a rebate check which should be included in the same envelope as your reconciliation bill. For the example home above, the rebate check is estimated to be over $1,000.
5. The reassessment is just the first of many property tax relief steps to come. The recently passed property tax relief plan includes the following additional relief measures:
a. For pay2008 bills, $870 million homestead credit paid for with the increased sales tax. This is expected to lower this home’s bill by several thousand dollars.
b. For pay2009, a 1.5% of assessed value cap which lowers this home’s bill to $6,400.
c. For pay2010, a 1.0% of assessed value cap which lowers this home’s bill to $4,278.
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North District IMPD Reports
Posted by James M. Garrettson
Monday, 11 February 2008
Anyone who's interested can receive the weekly North District IMPD Reports by dropping a note to Kelly Jessup, their Crime Watch Specialist, at
On top of the weekly reports, IMPD occasionally sends out special warnings if there has been a spike in certain types of crime, or if other important issues arise.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 14 March 2008 )
MKNA Property Tax Email List
Posted by Administrator
Friday, 13 July 2007
If you would like to be kept abreast of property tax matters as they pertain to the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood, give us your name and email address below. We will not release your information for any other purpose.
Written by Paul C. Diebold,"The History and Architecture of Meridian-Kessler" presents the amazing story of Meridian-Kessler from its early days to the present. With more than 300 photographs, this is a proud possession for all who love this neighborhood. Available at G. Thrapp Jewelers (56th & Illinois), The National Bank of Indianapolis (49th & Penn), Border’s Books (Clearwater/Fashion Mall), Vi Walker Silver (52nd & College), IRT Gift Shop (140 W.Washington St.), MKNA Office at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (52nd & Central, 283-1021). Or download an order form today.
Special Offer for the Holidays: Join MKNA at the $40 or above level, or, upgrade your current membership level by at least $40, and we'll give you a free copy. We even deliver within MKNA boundaries.
Also don't forget our special relationship with the Riviera Club. MKNA members who join Rivi get a substantial discount on their initiation fee, and, as if that weren't enough, also receive a free book.Write Comment (0 Comments)
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )
MKNA
Posted by Administrator
Tuesday, 08 November 2005
Our new Web site is designed to let MKNA staff and board members add and edit content without the need of an outside programmer or any programming knowledge. Call Roger Stevens at 283-7492 with questions.
