Taxing Tangle of Red Tape

In 1985, my wife and I purchased a new home. In 1987, we received a supplemental tax bill for $31 for 1984. I wrote the assessor’s office that it was in error as we did not purchase our home until 1985.

Over the next years, we received more bills for this assessment and each time pointed out to the assessor that the bill was in error. When our lender threatened to establish an impound account, in October, 1991, I personally went to the assessor’s office to demand that the assessment be removed.

At that time, I was told by the assessor that we were not responsible for the taxes and was given a letter that the assessment would be removed from our property.

Recently, we sought to refinance our home and found the assessment was still recorded against our property. The bank demanded that we pay the taxes. When we refused, the escrow company threatened to pay the taxes and deduct the money from our funds in escrow.

I returned to the assessor’s office as was informed that the request to transfer the taxes was still--some five months later--in the process and it would take another couple of weeks to complete.

But I could pay the taxes and interest, which now came to about $89, and then file for a refund. I asked how long it would take to process my refund and was told this would take about two months.

HERBERT JAY KLEIN

Calabasas