Today
the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association launched a new website to
inform more than 800,000 homeowners across California how to qualify for
a refund on the new fire tax.
The Fire Tax Protest site will
serve as a one-stop resource for taxpayers who wish to protest the new
fire tax, learn more information about their rights, or join a class
action lawsuit to overturn what HJTA believes to be an unlawful tax.
“The fire tax is in direct violation of Prop. 13, and it represents an
additional burden on rural homeowners who are already suffering in this
economy,” said Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association. “This new tax was conjured up by the Democrats and approved
by Jerry Brown, and it represents the worst of Sacramento – taking more
money from hardworking people for a program they were already paying
for, to cover the politicians’ budget gap. Today we are offering a new
tool for homeowners to protest this new tax.”
The taxpayer
group is preparing to challenge the tax constitutionally in court on the
grounds it should have been subject to the two-thirds vote requirement
in the Legislature.
Although taxpayers must pay the bill, the
site shows how to protest the fee in order to be eligible for a refund.
There they can sign up for free e-mail bulletins that will keep them
informed of the progress of the taxpayers’ suit against the state of
California. “It is our goal to help taxpayers get relief,” added
Coupal. “We are committed to fighting these illegal taxes to ensure
taxpayers have their day in court.”
For more information, visit the HJTA website and click on Fire Tax Protest.
