Typically taxes are prorated. So you would pay the December taxes and your builder would pay the Jan-November taxes. Normally you will be given a credit at closing for the taxes. Sounds like your problem is that the credit was either not calculated correctly or the correct amounts were not available when you closed. In my area if you go back to the builder with the actual bill, they will pay the additional amount based on the new rate. Go back to the title company or your builder's rep or your realtor and ask them how to proceed. My guess is they'll be glad to help.

In my area if there is a big differnce on the taxes, the Title Company will say at the closing this is an estimate, it the actual is different to let the seller know. The best way to do this is through the 3rd party Title Co. or your agent. The seller is not going to be happy about you asking them to pay more for taxes even if they were his responsiblity. This would be the easiest way I can think of to get your desired result which is to have the seller pay what he actually owed for taxes.

It depends on what was written up in the contract. There is a section of the standard Real Estate contract that covers tax prorations. Taxes are either calculated on the Calendar Year Immediately Proceeding Closing or the Most Recent Mill Levy and Most Recent Assessed Valuation (the later being used most often). In Colorado, taxes are paid in arrears. So you should have gotten a credit on your settlement statement for the taxes owed by the seller for the first 11 months of the year to be paid in April of the following year. If you have any specific questions on your settlement statement you should ask the title company who conducted your closing to clarify . So you are correct, in that the seller is responsible for the taxes during the time that they owned the property and you are only responsible for the taxes after you take title. Hopefully this information is helpful.

That is an issue. I would contact the Title Co. that handled the closing and ask them what happens in this situation. They will be able to lead you in the right direction for this matter!

Bob,
OOPS! Someone made an obvious mistake here. Hind sight is 20/20, but I can certainly understand the reasons this may have happened. Have you contacted your title agency and explained the situation to them? They should be happy to help you correct this without too much trouble. Best of luck!