Palin cabins not noted in tax assessments

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

By RACHEL D'ORO
Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Records show that Sarah Palin has not paid any property taxes on cabins that have been built on two backcountry plots partially owned by the former Alaska governor.

It's unclear how long ago the structures were built, but records show that there are no tax assessments for the buildings. Property taxes were only paid on the land - and not the structures themselves.

The issue has attracted the attention of local tax officials who conducted a scheduled aerial survey of the property on Thursday.

Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, says it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land. But local assessor Dave Dunivan says owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PALIN_PROPERTY_TAXES?SITE=TXCOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[SpiralHawk]

1. Typical republicon welfare queen

shifting the tax burden off of the wealthy onto the poor. She's right up there with Bachman when it comes to milking the public tit. Sheesh.

Thanks a pantload for your selfish, perverted Family Tax Values, Republicons.

[hughee99]

8. Amen, she should take a lesson from good ole' fashioned tax paying Dems

like Tim Geithner, Ron Kirk, Charles Rangel, and Tom Daschle.

[Journeyman]

17. Here's a picture of one of the "cabins." We should all live in such austere digs. . .

The image comes from the Mudflats blog that broke the story.

http://www.themudflats.net/2010/02/03/the-envelope-please/

[SpiralHawk]

20. Typical republicon welfare queen

Living high on the hog, letting others pay taxes while she hoards her money and whines about the 'unfairness' of it all.

[midnight]

21. That sums it up.

[MineralMan]

2. Willful tax evasion. Jail time.

Yeah, right...

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Uh-oh, Sarah's in trouble if the AP is picking up on this.

I reported AKMuckraker's blog post about it yesterday.

[virgogal]

4. They don't have to report structures? We have to get permits for a shed or deck.

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. Not enough info to make judgments methinks . .

.
.
.

note "partially owned" -

what if the other owner(s) erected some buildings?

what if she never visits these properties?

NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MAKE JUDGMENTS

. . . methinks . . . . .:hide:

[Blue_In_AK]

9. She is already on record with Bill O'Reilly (I think)

about how she likes to spend time at "her" cabin in this area. I think she's caught.

[Tempest]

10. The tax records are in her name

The Palins are required by law to correct their tax assessments and they didn't.

[alp227]

6. Every time I hear more stoopid nooz about Failin

I say, "Thankfully we don't have a McCain/Palin administration". She's just way too much trouble, so much that she won't make the 2012 primaries.

[cactusfractal]

7. "structures that go up on their land"???

Gee, I dunno, Mr. Taxman. I just bought the land and these... these STRUCTURES just... went up on it!

[Javaman]

11. The train wreck that keeps on giving. lol nt

[Grassy Knoll]

12. Just play dumb, crab queen !

[Yurovsky]

13. I find this very hard to believe...

that Palin was smart enough to construct a viable structure. I imagine anything more complex than a couple branches leaned up against a rock probably required a contractor.

[jkilvik]

14. Cabins,,my ass!

Looked at the pics on Mudflats. Maybe they're called 'cabins' in Alaska but Realtors down here they're called vacation homes w/breathtaking views. It'll be interesting to find out who built these for her. Seems a little far off the beaten path for a new sports complex but who knows....

[sellitman]

15. Bible Spice is a Tax Cheat.

Color me not shocked. Hypocrite with Lipstick.

[No Elephants]

19. I think you mean Cult Spice. Nothing Biblical about Caribou Barbie, IMO.

Then again, I'm not supposed to be judging.

[apnu]

24. Yes she is a cheat, but that will only endeer her to the Republicons

Anything to beat the "system" (meaning paying taxes) is A-OK with those louts.

[crim son]

25. I don't know if it's intentional or not but I LOVE

"endeer"!!!

[Journeyman]

16. Even if it's not the property owner's responsibility, a sense of honesty should compel disclosure...

but then, honor and the Quitta don't mix well . . .

[Tempest]

18. It is the property owner's responsibility to have the tax assessment corrected

But local assessor Dave Dunivan says owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments.

[LeftHander]

22. Palin definition of "Cabin"

example

prolly gifted by some Oil exec....

[davsand]

23. There is provision in Illinois law to collect back taxes on omitted properties.

Dunno about Alaska law, but here in Illinois we are empowered to collect back taxes on structures found later. The local Assessors are charged with adding new construction to the tax rolls and then the local Board of Review is charged with adding anything the Assessor missed. In a lot of jurisdictions permits have to be issued for any new construction and those permits are often times handed over to the tax man so he can go get it on the tax rolls.

If you live someplace where there are no permits required, finding new buildings can be a bit more difficult. A lot of times rural stuff gets spotted when new aerial maps are prepared, but not always. Sometimes it is a matter of just being out and around and seeing something new. I'd imagine that in Alaska it would be tougher to just "drive by" property on any regular basis.

I have NO idea what the laws are in Alaska, but I can say that here in Illinois they'd get hit with a bill for past taxes in a case like this. I'd suggest that it might be worth it to find out what historical aerial maps are available, and see if you can figure out just how old those buildings are. (My guess is they are less than five years old based on how the edges of the logs look--but I have NO idea how wood ages in Alaska weather. They may be fairly new...)



Laura