FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

  1. Should copies of the requested tax forms be provided from every named party on the lease?  ANSWER:  Yes.  The document request is for each Plaintiff.  To simplify mailings to Plaintiffs, envelopes are addressed to the first named party on the tax bill when there are multi-parties having an interest in the same property.

 

  1. I filed a depreciation schedule as part of my 2004 federal income tax on my leasehold improvements using a different form than the sample provided.  Should I provide a copy of the form used to claim depreciation?  ANSWER.  Yes.  There can be depreciation schedules other than Form 4562, but the law firm needs a copy of the depreciation schedule you filed.  As with the sample provided, black out any unrelated information.

 

  1. I do not use Schedule A to deduct home mortgage interest paid in connection with my leasehold improvements on Pensacola Beach.  Is there another form I should provide?  ANSWER: No.  Counsel for the Defendants specifically requested Schedule A.  If you did not report any deduction for home mortgage interest on your Schedule A, you do not need to produce your Schedule A.

 

  1. What should I do if the information on my tax bill is not correct (such as an incorrect address or a party listed who no longer has an interest in the leasehold property)?  ANSWER: You should contact the Tax Collector's office and have the information corrected.

 

  1. What can I do to keep my mortgage company from paying the 2005 ad valorem taxes?  ANSWER:  This web site has a copy of a Memorandum dated May 20, 2005, in which we suggested various items that could be furnished to Mortgagees to dissuade them from paying the 2004 real property taxes.  An Order, similar to the Order entered in the 2004 lawsuit, will be entered by the Court suspending all procedures to collect the contested 2005 taxes.  Upon its entry, the Order will be posted to the website.  You may desire to furnish your mortgage company with a copy of the Order and the other items mentioned in our Memo of May 20, 2005.

 

  1. What do I do if I did not file any of the 2004 tax forms requested and am unable to produce a copy of the closing statement also known as the “Settlement Statement”?  ANSWER:  Please return the 1 page form titled “Supplemental Information Request” to the address on the form.  Fill in the leasehold property address, the name of the leaseholder(s), and check Not Applicable next to the requested 2004 tax forms and check the space next to "Copy of closing or settlement statement cannot be provided" if you are unable to find or produce such statement.  This will help keep track of the Plaintiffs who have responded to this information request.