AZRE
A statute intended to support Arizona golf courses could take its toll on Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course owner Wilson Gee in the first situation of its kind by requiring him to pay 10 years of back taxes on the closed course, said David Boisvert, chief appraiser for the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office.
Under the golf statute, 42-13154, land that is classified as a golf course is valued at only $500 per acre, keeping the property tax relatively low, Boisvert said. But because Gee closed the golf course in May 2013, the land was reclassified as vacant land. Gee will now owe back taxes for the last 10 years plus interest and penalties, adding up to an estimated $1.6 million, Boisvert said.
Statement by Evan Bolick, Litigation and property tax appeal attorney: “The penalty imposed on this golf course is indeed shocking. It is disheartening to see the assessor penalizing a property owner for putting land to a more productive use. Nonetheless, cases like this demonstrate the need to explore the ramifications that a major change in property use will have on your taxes prior to making the change. A call to the assessor’s office before signing any new development deal is highly recommended.”
