Town of Grafton Taxes Church

[John]

Yup. I'm told that, yesterday - AGAINST THE ADVISE OF THE TOWN GOVERNMENT OF GRAFTON'S OWN LAWYER - the Grafton town select-thugs voted 2 to 1 against tax exemption for Peaceful Assembly Church.
I'm also told that there was some interesting - and also quite opposite of true - public comment from several known FreeStaterHaters. Further, I'm told that only two people made favorable public comment.

It is said that the meeting was audio video recorded - BUT WHO KNOWS IF THAT WILL EVER BE AVAILABLE?

I sent out 2 porc411calls as soon as I got the news.
I'll try to keep folks updated ...

Peace

[jerryswife]

 

[Russell Kanning]

these young upstarts .... trying to tax their elders

[Free libertarian]

There's more than one way to skin a cat.  ----  Some old timey cat skinner guy

[Free libertarian]

You should move the church to Free Grafton....we abolished property taxes shortly after we stopped throwing virgins in volcanoes.

[John]

Wow! You've stopped paying taxes? 
Congratulations!!!!!

Perhaps you can tell the board of directors of Peaceful Assembly Church how this works?
Perhaps you have a "good" lawyer whom you can recommend - or something?


There is a board meeting in the late afternoon/early evening (I'm not sure what time) on the 6th, and (as always) folks are welcome to attend.
I've attended every one so far, and I'm not even on the board. I'm just an advisor - with no earthly "legal" authority here.

Peace

[blackie]

How much is owed in taxes?

http://www.nhbar.org/publications/display-journal-issue.asp?id=368

APPEALING THE DENIAL OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

New Hampshire has a specific procedure for an appeal by an organization or individual aggrieved by the assessment of tax on its property. After receiving notice of its tax liability, the aggrieved party may, by March 1 of the current year, apply in writing to the town selectmen or assessors for an abatement of the tax.16  Upon receipt of an application for tax abatement, the selectmen or assessors shall grant or deny the application in writing by July 1.17  The failure of the selectmen or assessors to respond automatically constitutes a denial of the abatement.18

     
Should the municipality deny a charitable organization's tax exemption under RSA 72:23, V, the taxpayer may pursue one of two legal avenues. The first is to appeal the municipality's decision to the BTLA19 by September 1.20  An order of exemption, abatement, or tax credit by the BTLA has the full effect of law and may be enforced as any final judgment of the superior court.21  RSA 72:23-m places "...the burden of demonstrating the applicability of any exemption...upon the claimant."

     
A charitable organization denied a property tax exemption may also choose to appeal directly to the county's superior court.22  As with an appeal to the BTLA, a superior court appeal must be filed by September 1.23  The differences between an appeal to the BTLA or the superior court rest in the procedure governing the hearing. An appeal to the BTLA is decided by a four-member Board and evidence rules are relaxed, while a hearing in the superior court is a traditional court case before a judge, adhering to formal rules of evidence.24  Although the taxpayer is advised to consult an attorney before appearing before either the BTLA or superior court, going pro se before the BTLA can be a more feasible alternative because of the informal atmosphere. The losing party may appeal an adverse decision by the BTLA or superior court to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.25  Appeals from the BTLA are discretionary and governed by Supreme Court Rule 10, Appeal from Administrative Agency. Appeals from a superior court, however, are mandatory under Supreme Court Rule 7, Appeal from Trial Court Decision on the Merits.