A related story about property evaluation for tax purpose:

Everyone is familiar with the practice of putting a low sale price on the bill of sale to reduce the amount of sales tax due. In the waning days of the 2003 session, the Kansas State Legislature passed a bill allowing the county treasurers to collect sales tax on vehicle purchases based on actual sale price or book value, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER. The bill became laws without much public awareness. In 2004, it became a political storm because people buying wrecked or beat-up cars had to pay sales tax on book value, much more than actual sales price. The law was repealed and the treasurers had to refund money to people who could prove an actual lower sale price. What a mess!

[Linked Image from visitedstatesmap.com]