Do Whats Right!

Abatement of taxes is a special issue when it comes to town's and cities across Maine. There are also very specfic statutes outlining how and when abatements can be given by the selectboard. Recently requests were made for abatement. In reviewing the matter it was found that the assessor agent and town select board as the assessors had made some serious mistakes in evaluation of a customers property. The customer requested an abatement. Mistakes were made, for whatever reason, and when it comes to over charging a tax payer by thousands there is zero room for mistakes in a small town. The select board wanted to grant a refund or abatement to the customer. It now appears that under Maine law we can not provide such abatement because the customer who is untrained, not a professional assessor or appraiser did not file a complaint within a proper time period of 180 days of being notified. Although the customer did call (verabal) and ask staff about the tax bill, they never filed a written appeal, nor were they told they could file for abatement. How would the average person know there rights? I would suggest that on the tax bill a statement be included telling the customer they have rights - if they disagree with the assessment or evalulation they need to file a request for abatemetn within 180 days of receiving the tax notice. So there are multiple errors in the tax evaluation and over a thousand dollars owed for at least a three year period. Request for refund denied - why because the law court says assessor make mistakes because of being overworked and balancing such paperwork is inherent to mistakes. Incompentance or igornance I was always told was not an excuse. Try telling a judge you didn't know the law, you forgot or were asleep at the wheel. This is just not right, we as the town made a mistake and we should fix and refund the overcharge to our customer, you the tax payer. What do you think, if you found out you were overcharged for a product, would you want a refund?