Community Corner

WISN: Family Fights Property Tax Penalties Incurred While Homeowner Was In Coma

Sen. Lena Taylor has introduced legislation after a Shorewood woman was late on her property tax payments after falling into a coma.

A Shorewood woman who fell into a coma while vacationing in Florida over the winter is facing stiff penalties she incurred for being late on her property taxes, Patch media partners WISN12 reports.

Jane Kramer said in January she rushed to be at her mother Toba's bedside, whom had fallen deathly ill while in Florida. When her mother regained consciousness she said, "I don't think I paid my property taxes, and I need you to see if I did," Jane told WISN.

Turns out Jane's mother was late — her $12,000 property tax bill is due immediately, along with interest and penalties. Village Manager Chris Swartz told WISN state law requires the village label the tax bill as delinquent, and mandates it be paid immediately with interest and penalties. 

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Jane said her mother purchased her Shorewood home in 1967 and has never been late on a property tax payment. Her mother is on a fixed income and unable to pay the full amount all at once. 

In response, state Sen. Lena Taylor has drafted the Toba Kramer Medical Hardship Exemption Act, which would give taxpayers who are medically incapacitated at the time their bill is due an additional 60 days to pay their property tax bill. The bill was introduced in the state Legislature on Wednesday.

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"Despite her medical aliments, current law had no remedy for Ms. Kramer when she missed her property tax payments earlier this year," said Taylor, who represents Shorewood, in a press release on Tuesday. 

"By the time she was cognizant, the deadline to pay her property tax installment had already passed," Taylor continued. "Despite her family’s quick effort to pay the installment, state law required that Ms. Kramer be labeled tax 'delinquent' and that her installment plan be ended.  Ms. Kramer must now pay the full year’s tax payment immediately while accruing daily penalties and interest."

It would require medical documentation be provided by a medical provider, the exemption has not been utilized previously, and the local governing body approves the extension. In Toba's case, the Shorewood Village Board would have to sign off on the extension.


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