I’ve written much about my opposition to the illegal fire tax over the
past year. I attempted to fight it through a referendum and legislation
as my rural district includes nearly 20 percent of the state’s
homeowners who are subject to the fee. My office has been flooded with
calls from constituents upset over the fire tax bills that have been
arriving in their mailboxes and I want to share some helpful information
about how to protest it.
I am supporting the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (HJTA) who will
be filing a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the tax and
seeking refunds for people who have filed a “Petition for
Redetermination” with the responsible agencies.
Even though the tax was illegally passed, rural Californians are
required to pay it within 30 days of the date of the bill. Pay close
attention to the due date! If you are late, steep penalties and interest
are compounded monthly. Moreover, the fee is a lien on your property,
and failure to pay can result in foreclosure.
Residents can officially protest the tax by sending the payment as soon
as possible with the “Petition for Redetermination” form. For additional
information about challenging the fee and claiming a refund, and to
download the appropriate form, visit www.firetaxprotest.org – a website sponsored by the HJTA. For those who need assistance, please call my office at (916) 783-8232.
It is recommended that you write “paid under protest” in the memo line
of your check. Also, make a copy of the check so that you can enclose it
with your “Petition for Redetermination” form as proof of payment.
If the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is successful in their
lawsuit, the court may order refunds. To qualify for a refund you must have paid your bill and filed a “Petition for Redetermination.”
The answer to fire protection in California is not illegal taxes but
budgets that invest in core government services that protect every
citizen in the state – rural, urban or suburban. I look forward to
seeing the tax overturned by the HJTA’s lawsuit.
