Tax assessors have one duty and that is to figure out what a property is worth. In essence, the question they must answer is this: if this property were to be put on the market today, what would it sell for? For a long time, local assessors have punitively added...
Firm News
Attorney At Law Magazine features Robert Hill as their Attorney of the Month
From Attorney At Law magazine: Welcome to our February issue! This issue we feature Robert Hill, a property tax lawyer and fighter for justice as our “Attorney of the Month.” Get to know Mr. Hill and his thirty plus years of experience involving commercial property...
Trickle Down Taxes: How Unfair Tax Burdens are Passed Along
The second of a 4-part series by Matt Barnsley Tax levies do not exist in a vacuum. They are multifaceted and complex. And in a representative democracy like ours here in the United States, it is vital that all properties be assessed and taxed fairly. This may seem...
Boom Goes Bust: What Happens When the Coffers Run Dry in Anytown, USA
The first of a 4-part series by Matt Barnsley Imagine ten years ago the town you live in has an economic boom due to the discovery of oil. Petroleum companies have struck it rich and are pouring millions of dollars into your local economy. They’re buying property,...
Settlement in Winona County
by Staff writer A settlement has been reached in a case that will stand as a victory for fairness and reasonable tax assessments. The petitioners in Menards vs. Winona County accepted an adjusted market rate of $7.2 million, down from the $9 million that was...
Homeowner Discrimination: A Thought Experiment
By Matt Barnsley As property owners and American taxpayers, we rely upon a system of government that is supposed to ensure fairness and equality. This is especially true when it comes to assessing property values. You should be paying roughly the same amount as your...
Dickinson, ND City Council Beats Up Senior Citizen with Outrageous Tax Assessments
By Matt Barnsley Imagine being 75 years old. You’ve spent your life being a responsible citizen, working hard, and finally, buying rental properties to see you through your retirement years. You’re proud of what you’ve built and the community you’ve invested in....
Robert Hill Law Files Suit to Hold Bureaucrats Accountable
Anoka County Official does not dispute destroying evidence. By: Staff Writer Did Anoka County and Dee Guthman break the law in order to protect unfair and discriminatory tax assessment practices? That’s what attorney Robert Hill alleges in a lawsuit filed March 30th...
Dark Store Theory , the New Flat Earth Concept
By Michael Wedl Lately, you may have seen or heard something called the “dark store theory” being written or talked about in the media. It’s often framed as a loophole allowing large corporations to improperly reduce their property taxes, resulting in large property...
Data Driven Values and the Assessors Who Ignore Them
Assessing property value is an art form. No one denies that. In theory, you start with market data, apply your experience and logic, and arrive at a fair assessment. But theory is not practice. Despite the job description to let data demonstrate the value, we have...
