A year ago, I wrote about a 93-year-old woman who fell behind on her property taxes. So the government seized her home, sold it—and *kept the profit.*
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear her case. But there are many stories like hers, and they'll shock you. A thread.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear her case. But there are many stories like hers, and they'll shock you. A thread.
Geraldine Tyler is now 94. A few years ago, she accrued a $2,300 tax debt.
The government added $13,000 in fees, took her home, sold it for $40,000, and kept all the proceeds.
A federal court said that was A-OK. I wrote about it here. /2 reason.com
The government added $13,000 in fees, took her home, sold it for $40,000, and kept all the proceeds.
A federal court said that was A-OK. I wrote about it here. /2 reason.com
But Geraldine is no ordinary 94-year-old. She's spent the last several years fighting to end this government theft.
Because that's what this is: legalized larceny. And there have been many victims. /3 reason.com
Because that's what this is: legalized larceny. And there have been many victims. /3 reason.com
Tawanda Hall fell $900 behind on a payment plan for her taxes. With added fees, she owed $22,642.
The local treasury took her home and sold it for **over $300,000.**
And then they kept the remainder. The government stole over $286,000. Jaw-dropping. /4 reason.com
The local treasury took her home and sold it for **over $300,000.**
And then they kept the remainder. The government stole over $286,000. Jaw-dropping. /4 reason.com
It's hard to describe what losing your home & life savings does to a person. Let me try.
When the government stole Tawanda's $286,000, her husband was sick with pneumonia. He rushed back to work—where he fell, sustained a brain injury, & died. Some things you can't get back. /5
When the government stole Tawanda's $286,000, her husband was sick with pneumonia. He rushed back to work—where he fell, sustained a brain injury, & died. Some things you can't get back. /5
At least 12 states allow the gov't to steal your home equity. They do it in shocking ways.
Just ask Kevin Fair, who fell $588 behind on his taxes after his wife was diagnosed with severe MS.
But Kevin didn't realize the debt was growing, because he never received notice. /6
Just ask Kevin Fair, who fell $588 behind on his taxes after his wife was diagnosed with severe MS.
But Kevin didn't realize the debt was growing, because he never received notice. /6
That's because the government let a private investor buy Kevin's $588 debt. Without telling him.
Three years later, that investor told Kevin he had 90 days to pay—now $6,000 with interest—or the government would hand over the deed to Kevin's house. /7
Three years later, that investor told Kevin he had 90 days to pay—now $6,000 with interest—or the government would hand over the deed to Kevin's house. /7
Let's review: Kevin Fair's home is worth $60,000. He is poised to lose it—which will make him homeless—over a $588 tax bill that he didn't know he still owed, because the government sold it to a 3rd party without his knowledge.
And this is all perfectly legal. /8
And this is all perfectly legal. /8
This is state-sanctioned robbery. It targets the most vulnerable. The elderly. The poor. People who are sick.
Which is why Geraldine Tyler must win at the Supreme Court. The government should not be able to steal from its own citizens. /end reason.com
Which is why Geraldine Tyler must win at the Supreme Court. The government should not be able to steal from its own citizens. /end reason.com
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