Gigem_94 said:
Tarrant county is shady. They have been going back and reassessing properties from years ago. For instance, if owner shouldn't have had a homestead exemption they remove it after it is sold and have their law firm (Lineberger Sampson) go after the new owners for the back taxes which is bs knowing most people will pay. Seen this more than a few times.
Greener Acres said:Gigem_94 said:
Tarrant county is shady. They have been going back and reassessing properties from years ago. For instance, if owner shouldn't have had a homestead exemption they remove it after it is sold and have their law firm (Lineberger Sampson) go after the new owners for the back taxes which is bs knowing most people will pay. Seen this more than a few times.
Tarrant Appraisal District isn't represented by the Linebarger firm. That law firm represents the county and other entities. TAD is its own, separate entity that does not assess taxes.
If a taxpayer has an unauthorized exemption, they are underpaying taxes while you and I are paying without that same benefit. The new owner's title insurance policy covers that situation though in most cases as they are supposed to verify taxes.
Gigem_94 said:Greener Acres said:Gigem_94 said:
Tarrant county is shady. They have been going back and reassessing properties from years ago. For instance, if owner shouldn't have had a homestead exemption they remove it after it is sold and have their law firm (Lineberger Sampson) go after the new owners for the back taxes which is bs knowing most people will pay. Seen this more than a few times.
Tarrant Appraisal District isn't represented by the Linebarger firm. That law firm represents the county and other entities. TAD is its own, separate entity that does not assess taxes.
If a taxpayer has an unauthorized exemption, they are underpaying taxes while you and I are paying without that same benefit. The new owner's title insurance policy covers that situation though in most cases as they are supposed to verify taxes.
Actually they are. I have dealt with the firm on several occasions and very well versed in the exemptions. But it isn't the law firm that is the problem. They are just pursuing what the county gives them. And the tax issue isn't covered by a title policy. Regardless, the county reassesses the taxes after the title company has prorated the taxes and closed the deal. For instance, mom and die dad. Kids inherit into the estate where it stays for a couple years until they sell it. But the kids never remove the homestead exemption. After kids sell it to a new owner the county sees the transfer and goes back and takes the homestead off for the years the kids had it and reassess the taxes for those years without the exemption. Kids don't own it anymore so they stick it on the new owner and have Lineberger file suit to collect. Seen it on multiple occasions.
Gigem_94 said:
Not sure why you don't think Tarrant County isn't represented by Linebarger. I'm literally looking at the petition (cause no 067-D44824-24) filed last year and resolved in June 2025. Maybe Linebarger doesn't represent Tarrant County anymore, but they did within the last year. And although the original owner would be liable, the new owner would have to go after them or file a cross claim instead of the county just going after them directly - New owner's legal fees would be more than just paying the taxes and collections could be difficult. Not worth it. Keep in mind, the county actually goes back and revises the amounts owed for prior years on their website so it looks like it was there before the original owner sold it. However, the docs the title company gets to pay off the taxes at closing show the prior taxes were not assessed at the time of the sale.
Gigem_94 said:
Not sure why you don't think Tarrant County isn't represented by Linebarger. I'm literally looking at the petition (cause no 067-D44824-24) filed last year and resolved in June 2025. Maybe Linebarger doesn't represent Tarrant County anymore, but they did within the last year. And although the original owner would be liable, the new owner would have to go after them or file a cross claim instead of the county just going after them directly - New owner's legal fees would be more than just paying the taxes and collections could be difficult. Not worth it. Keep in mind, the county actually goes back and revises the amounts owed for prior years on their website so it looks like it was there before the original owner sold it. However, the docs the title company gets to pay off the taxes at closing show the prior taxes were not assessed at the tome of the sale.
Gigem_94 said:Greener Acres said:Gigem_94 said:
Tarrant county is shady. They have been going back and reassessing properties from years ago. For instance, if owner shouldn't have had a homestead exemption they remove it after it is sold and have their law firm (Lineberger Sampson) go after the new owners for the back taxes which is bs knowing most people will pay. Seen this more than a few times.
Tarrant Appraisal District isn't represented by the Linebarger firm. That law firm represents the county and other entities. TAD is its own, separate entity that does not assess taxes.
If a taxpayer has an unauthorized exemption, they are underpaying taxes while you and I are paying without that same benefit. The new owner's title insurance policy covers that situation though in most cases as they are supposed to verify taxes.
Actually they are. I have dealt with the firm on several occasions and very well versed in the exemptions. But it isn't the law firm that is the problem. They are just pursuing what the county gives them. And the tax issue isn't covered by a title policy. Regardless, the county reassesses the taxes after the title company has prorated the taxes and closed the deal. For instance, mom and die dad. Kids inherit into the estate where it stays for a couple years until they sell it. But the kids never remove the homestead exemption. After kids sell it to a new owner the county sees the transfer and goes back and takes the homestead off for the years the kids had it and reassess the taxes for those years without the exemption. Kids don't own it anymore so they stick it on the new owner and have Lineberger file suit to collect. Seen it on multiple occasions.
