Property Taxes

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:22:15 GMT

Curious if any other cabin owners have had to deal with escalating property taxes? My cabin is in Wyoming, and in at least three counties, taxes continue to go up year after year. The fact that we can only use our cabins for "summer use" makes no difference in the tax calculation according to the tax assessor I spoke to. If anyone else has had to deal with this issue, how did you handle it? Individually or as a cabin tract? Did you appeal, and if so, how did you approach the appeals process? Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Property Tax Primer

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 21:27:06 GMT

Cabins are subject to property taxes in most states. Because property taxes are based on state laws and are administered by local counties, practices vary from state to state sometime even county to county within the same state. Property taxes are generally assessed against the value of a cabin and are subject to increases as cabin values increase. Because cabin owners do not own the land, our cabins are classified as personal property rather than real property. The vast majority of properties subject to property taxes are real property which means county tax assessors may not be familiar with or recognize some of the unique differences of cabins on public lands compared to residential real estate on private land.

Most states allow property owners to appeal property taxes, and/or the property valuation used to determine the tax amount. Property tax laws and/or valuation methods may be different for personal property in your state, which may call for further research if you decide to appeal your cabin's tax valuation. For a more information on this topic, we recommend you click on the NFH Cabin Property Tax Primer PDF file name below to review the report.

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 01:56:34 GMT

Thnak you, Doug! Great info in the pdf file -- most helpful!

Tue, 7 Nov 2023 16:44:33 GMT

Here in Tennessee, we were in an appeal process for approx 8 years with our county subjecting our cabins to a tax on land valuation. As you would first think and you are correct, we don't own the land and a portion of USFS Permit Fees do go back to counties annually to compensate the county the cabins reside in. The state of TN amended the TN Code during Chancery Court to be able to tax 62 cabins. The land our cabins sit on are taxed a leasehold and or fair market value now. My thought is double taxation. Just saying .

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:56:11 GMT

Agree, great info in Doug's recent article especially under the section entitled "What if I want to take a more comprehensive review of cabin property tax methods?"

It is a bit confusing having to pay both personal property (or excise) taxes to local governments and the fee for the Forest Service's Special Use Permit for our recreation residences. Doug's article explains it all in a simple and concise manner. Thanks Doug!