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A towering slap in N Y City's face-U N deadbeats!
Foreign countries that own prime city real estate worth more than $200 million have found an easy way to avoid property tax in New York City - just refuse to pay. When the city sends a bill, deadbeat nations often just ignore it. When a city tax assessor knocks, they often will not open the consulate door. In fact, at least seven countries currently have balances due of $106 million in property tax, according to city computer records obtained by the Daily News. For New York City, those debts present a challenge. By law, the city cannot foreclose or even enforce a lien on a foreign nation's property, even when it is rented or used for commercial purposes - uses that make it partly subject to property tax. 7 WHO ARE SHAMED Foreign missions are exempt from New York City property tax - but only to the extent that each property is actually used for diplomatic purposes. The city believes this money represents nondiplomatic property taxes. 1 Hungary $49.7 million 2 Phillipines $24.1 million 3 India $22.2 million 4 Guinea $5.4 million 5 Mongolia $2.8 million 6 Nepal $836,000 7 Nigeria $689,000 Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-10-25 |
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