Durham County strikes again...

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
So, as for the ones I've met on here you know "Duke" well. I drive this amazing piece of shit truck that I actually restored 16 years ago but slowly beat the hell out of ('76 F-100). It's actually a '73,'74,'75,'76,'77,'78,79 if you count the different parts I've used over the years. The truck is a love-hate relationship but it has never let me down. So I drive the piss out of it.

I've never lived in a county that taxes a vehicle until Durham. For the past 2 years my bill's been around $4.00 with value around $500. A little less than the initial $600 investment. So be it.

This year I get a tax bill with value of $16,200...:eek:

I'm taking a day off tomorrow to drive it down there. I hope I can get them off their asses to walk outside to look at it in person for pictures don't do justice. I've taken a few pictures just in case.

This isn't my first battle with Durham. In my line of work (Civil Designer) I deal with them daily. They aim to be the strictest municipality. They attack like a bunch of hornets. They even have their own set of gun laws above Fed or NC. We are even taxed on each dog we own and have to show proof when they die. I told wife to watch for next dog road kill to take with me tomorrow and I'll stop that too ;). But since they drive by yearly with camaras rolling from a pick-up-truck... I'll begin with my truck first.
 
Passenger's side.jpg
 
It's because it's now >35 years old. You're still driving it, so it must mean that it's a restored collectible. :lol:

Not the first thread along these lines.
 
I had a talk with the license plate agency here in Lee County a few weeks ago.

I had the same problem, went from 300 to 4000 value. If your truck is old enough, stick antique plates on it. According to our local DMV there are no restrictions like some states (parades, club events and so forth), and tax value is limited by NC statute to $500.
 
^^^ It don't matter the content but seems every conversation has something to learn from on this site. Glad I shared my issue. I'll be well prepared now!!!
Thanks kaiser715!
 
kaiser715 said:
I had a talk with the license plate agency here in Lee County a few weeks ago.

I had the same problem, went from 300 to 4000 value. If your truck is old enough, stick antique plates on it. According to our local DMV there are no restrictions like some states (parades, club events and so forth), and tax value is limited by NC statute to $500.
Click to expand...

just as an aside, in MD they have "historic" plates for 20 years old, but it is for "not general commuting", going to club events etc. Which is pretty hard to enforce but I know guys that have been harassed about it.
 
Guess that's what I'll have to look forward to next year with my 77...bad thing is, Hagerty has a 25k appraised value on it...so there won't be much fighting...the Bronco on the other hand, I'll fight that in 3 years. Are classic vehicles still taxed at the same roughly 1.5-2% as the 'newer than 35' rigs???
 
Went down to Durham and filed the appeal yesterday. On the line where it asks my idea of value, I stated that I'd sell it for $750 but probably not worth more than $500. Was a bunch of old black women who thrived on the power kick of having authority. Was like asking for their first born just to borrow an ink pen... But I played nice guy throughout.
After going down there, looks like lawyers is common. She was amused to see me representing myself. I just wished I had the time to swap my wheels for non-matching when I took pics.

They said they would call me when they negotiated a fair price.
 
Ah, Derm the shitc hole of NC. I can say so because I was born there, raised there, owned a few homes there and finally had enough of their shitc. Last home I fought the tax folks and was shocked at all the evaluation crap they had taxed me on that was conjecture at best. Finally, while face to face with them I got most all the crap removed. Defended myself with handgun once and was told by the cops I was lucky to get the gun back and lucky I did not get a "going terror to the public" charge. Why are the taxes out of scale, just look across the tracks some day. You are paying for them to sit on their lazy azzes and watch tv all day and vote in gangs to keep Mr. Wonderful in the Mayors office. Try dealing with the water department and you will meet Ms. Congenality over and over again until your request is properly fulfilled. My parents are gone and my brother and sister have finally left there too. We have all wised up to the crap that eminates from center city. If you live there now, you are either a giver or a taker. The takers are taking over in that there Sancturary City. My advice, if you are a giver, get the HeLL out.
 
^^^ Knowz well.

Electrical Inspector passed my shop after he found out I play guitar. Showed up at my house the next day (on company time) with his guitar. First time I have ever had to purposely suck at playing. I picked the most gruesome devil worshiping type of songs I ever learned and blasted out my vocals annoyingly. He had a funny look on him when he said "I thought I was going to learn something".:D

Was forced to combine 2 adjoining lots I own all because of a fence violation. I could have fought with a lawyer easily but determined my tax bill would be less (In which it was) and I had no plans of upgrading my shop (on the other lot). And I did the plans myself and signed where I work for free. They wanted my house on the same lot so I could never go Commercial with my shop. They suspected me of running a business the very day I moved in. I had to prove my workers were kin with ID copies. And they required Titles to every vehicle on my lot or they would be confiscated. I took them my titles and also dared them to enter my property with a tow truck! My signs went up the very next day.

And my latest... Although I live in the "RR = Rural District" of Durham, I am still required to obtain a permit for any animal other than a cat with exception that roosters are not permitted at all. My neighbor behind me is tethering cows on chains (to bulk their meat) and I KNOW he isn't permitted to say the least. His aunt is another neighbor which I've had many confrontations with (Garage Forum - Neighbor Issues). I just bought a pair of goats the other day to clear some fenced land. :flipoff2: If she turns me in, I'll have to sell my goats and pay a fine. Her nephew will probably be doing time... I'm waiting on the letter from Durham any day now in which I have recieved several in the past.
 
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