DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — New details have emerged in a Troubleshooter investigation into a huge property tax increase on a Durham woman’s car: Rather than simply pay the higher rate, she sued the county.
Shirley Davis has filed a complaint with the Durham County Board of Equalization. She is disputing her 2024 tax bill on a 2018 Honda.
“How did it go up by $9,000 in less than a year?” she asked.
In 2023, Davis’s car tax bill was $8,000, but in 2024 it will exceed $17,000. Davis appealed to the Durham County Tax Office and her property tax bill was lowered to $15,473, but she still believes it’s not reasonable and appealed again.
“I wanted to let it go, but something was lingering in me, telling me to keep doing this no matter what.”
During Monday’s hearing, a representative from the Durham County Tax Department explained that they use data from the state, which they contract with a third party to provide it, and that personal property values are reassessed annually based on market value.
When Davis appealed, a county representative said they looked at cars similar to Davis’s for sale throughout the Triangle area and the market value from a third-party car appraisal website. The county’s final figure was $11,000. Davis also argued that she was willing to buy it for $8,000 because the dealer said they would buy it at that price.
Because property tax assessments are based on current market value, not what the dealer pays for your car, the board of review voted to approve the $11,000 value.
“I’m satisfied. It’s taken a lot of hard work and effort to get to where I am now.” Davis considers it a victory, and after appealing, her compensation was reduced from more than $17,000 to $11,000.
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