Man Pays $21K Property Taxes In Coins

[Pudge]

http://www.newsnet5.com/money/18312609/detail.html


NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- A Floyd County man showed up at the city-county building in New Albany to pay his property taxes with more than $21,000 in coins.

Frank Alford, who owns several single-family rental homes, said it's his way of protesting higher taxes, reported WLKY-TV in Louisville, Ky.

When he walked into the Floyd County treasurer's office Thursday morning, a deputy clerk immediately recognized Alford because last year, he paid his taxes with dollar bills.

Alford loaded a garbage can with $21,333 in Susan B. Anthony dollar coins, and he carried a sign that read, "Property taxes gone wild."

"I'm letting them know I'm a very unhappy taxpayer," he said.

Alford said his property taxes have gone up 48 percent since 2006, and tax relief recently passed by the Indiana Legislature has done nothing for people who own rental property.

"The owner who lives in their property got all kinds of tax breaks. They don't give you no homestead exemption, no mortgage exemption, nothing," he said. "You're paying double what you're paying than owning your own home."

Alford, a retiree with two hip replacements, loaded what he estimated was 400 pounds of coins and then headed inside to the treasurer's office to settle up.

Deputy clerk Bette Buechler did a quick tally of Alford's property taxes.

When asked if the office has to accept the Susan B. Anthony coins, Buechler said, "I think I'm understanding if it comes in pennies, we don't have to."

A Floyd County deputy sheriff was asked to lend a hand getting the money to a nearby bank to be counted.

As for Alford, this may not be his last protest.

"If we don't get some relief, it may be in quarters, dimes or pennies next year," he said. "I'm angry at them."

[213th]

When asked if the office has to accept the Susan B. Anthony coins, Buechler said, "I think I'm understanding if it comes in pennies, we don't have to."

How can they refuse to accept legal tender?

[Odd]

I wondered why the clerk made a distinction between $1 coins and pennies. This opinion touches on both our questions.

[BigDawg]

I dont think they can refuse legal tender unless they have some ordinance that states HOW the taxes must be paid.

[IndianaFuzz]

Someone around here paid about $15,000 in pennies.

I'm just a little tired of these people who have that much in cash, let alone coins to be able to pay like that. hehe I'm lucky if I ever have $100 in cash on me, or $2000 in my bank account. I'd have to take out a loan to pay a bill like that, in any form.