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TaxBuzz Top 5 - 92-Year-Old Woman Dies Amid Shocking Tax Lien Battle, Maine Is Latest State to Consider Millionaires Tax & More

by
Rebekah Barton
on
4/3/2026
TaxBuzz Top 5 - 92-Year-Old Woman Dies Amid Shocking Tax Lien Battle, Maine Is Latest State to Consider Millionaires Tax & More

Each Friday, TaxBuzz brings you the top five tax and accounting headlines you need to know from the workweek. We know life can get busy and you don't always have time to scroll through your news feed to stay informed.

We weed through all of the week's stories to showcase the most important updates in the tax and accounting world.

1. 92-Year-Old Woman Dies As Family Evicted In Shocking $3,500 Tax Lien Case

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Credit: Nuttawan Jayawan/Getty Images

A 92-year-old Pennsylvania woman at the center of a controversial tax lien foreclosure has died, just as authorities carried out an eviction on her longtime home — a case drawing national attention to how small tax debts can lead to devastating losses. The home was seized after a $3,500 unpaid property tax bill was sold to a private investor, who later foreclosed on the property.

According to the family, the issue stemmed from a payment mix-up during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a tax payment was applied to the wrong year, leaving a gap that ultimately triggered the lien sale. They say the homeowner was never properly aware of the outstanding balance or the auction that followed.

The woman, who had lived in the home for decades, was able to return there briefly before her death — fulfilling her final wish — but days later, deputies enforced the eviction, removing belongings and changing the locks. Her family says the home contained roughly $250,000 in equity, now lost through the foreclosure process.

The case is reigniting scrutiny of tax lien systems nationwide, where relatively small debts can lead to the loss of homes and generational wealth, particularly for elderly or vulnerable homeowners who may miss notices or struggle with administrative errors.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are already considering reforms, including requiring additional notifications to third parties, as advocates argue stronger safeguards are needed to prevent similar outcomes in the future.

2. Georgia Lawmakers Approve Income Tax Cuts and Property Tax Relief in Final Push on Affordability

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Credit: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

Georgia lawmakers wrapped their 2026 legislative session by approving a sweeping package of income tax cuts and property tax relief, capping months of debate centered on rising costs for residents. The plan lowers the state’s income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99% immediately, with a path to reduce it further to 3.99% over time if financial benchmarks are met.

The legislation also boosts the standard deduction, to $30,000 for married couples and $15,000 for individuals, and includes targeted relief by exempting up to $1,750 in tips and $1,750 in overtime income from state taxes. Lawmakers framed the changes as a direct response to affordability pressures that dominated the session.

On the property tax side, lawmakers paired the income tax cuts with hundreds of millions in relief for homeowners, including efforts to limit how quickly property tax bills can grow and continued use of state funds to offset local tax burdens.

Supporters, including Gov. Brian Kemp and Republican leaders, argue the package will put more money back into Georgians’ pockets and keep the state competitive as other states pursue aggressive tax cuts. Critics warn the long-term plan could create a multi-billion-dollar gap in state revenue, particularly if future tax reductions are fully implemented.

The move positions Georgia at the center of a broader national trend, where states are aggressively pursuing tax cuts, especially on income and property, while grappling with how to maintain funding for schools, infrastructure and other essential services.

3. Maine Advances Millionaires Tax and $300 Relief Checks in Supplemental Budget Plan

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Credit: Chris Boswell/Getty Images

Maine lawmakers are moving forward with a supplemental budget that pairs a new tax on millionaires with direct relief payments for residents, signaling a targeted approach to affordability rather than broad tax cuts. The proposal includes a 2% surcharge on income above $1 million, affecting roughly 0.4% of taxpayers while generating an estimated $150 million over two years.

At the same time, the plan would deliver $300 checks to more than 514,000 Mainers, aimed at helping households manage rising costs for essentials like housing, energy and groceries. The relief is more narrowly targeted than earlier proposals, focusing primarily on lower- and middle-income residents.

Gov. Janet Mills has signaled support for the package, saying the additional revenue from high earners will help maintain funding for schools, healthcare and local programs while also providing property tax relief. Lawmakers also included more than $11 million in direct property tax relief as part of the broader plan.

Supporters argue the approach shifts more of the tax burden to wealthy residents while putting cash directly into the hands of families, but Republicans and business groups warn the millionaire surcharge could discourage investment or drive high earners out of the state.

The proposal now heads to the full Legislature, where it faces further debate, but it highlights a growing trend among states: pairing tax increases on top earners with direct payments or targeted relief to address cost-of-living pressures.

4. Columbus NWSL Expansion Plan Includes New Ticket Tax to Fund Stadium and Training Facility

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Credit: John Hudson Photography/Getty Images

Columbus, Ohio leaders have unveiled a plan to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to the city — funded in part by a new ticket tax on soccer events — showcasing how local governments are increasingly using targeted taxes to finance sports infrastructure. The proposal includes a roughly 2% fee on tickets at matches held at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, home of the Columbus Crew.

The revenue would help fund a new training facility and related upgrades tied to the expansion franchise, reducing the need to draw directly from the city’s general budget. Local officials say the goal is to have fans attending games help pay for the project rather than relying on broad-based taxpayer funding.

The plan comes after pushback on using tens of millions in public capital funds, with city leaders instead favoring a “user-based” tax model tied specifically to event attendance. Supporters argue this approach preserves funding for core services like infrastructure and public safety while still enabling major development projects.

Backers of the NWSL expansion say the investment could boost Columbus’ profile as a soccer hub and generate long-term economic activity through events, tourism and related spending. The stadium itself, a 20,000-seat venue opened in 2021, has already hosted major matches and is seen as a key asset for attracting new teams.

The proposal reflects a broader national trend of cities using targeted taxes like ticket fees, hotel taxes and tourism levies to fund sports and entertainment projects, a strategy that continues to spark debate over who ultimately bears the cost of professional sports expansion.

5. France’s Fuel Tax Windfall Wiped Out By Rising Debt Costs Amid Energy Crisis

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Credit: Serhej Calka/Getty Images 

France briefly saw a surge in fuel tax revenue as rising oil prices, driven by the Iran conflict, pushed pump prices higher, generating about €270 million in additional tax income in March alone. But officials say that “windfall” has already been erased by broader fiscal pressures hitting the government.

According to Budget Minister David Amiel, France’s borrowing costs have jumped sharply alongside global bond yields, now costing the government roughly €300 million per month, exceeding the extra fuel tax revenue generated.

At the same time, the government is spending heavily on targeted relief measures, including subsidies for transport, farming and fishing industries, as well as energy support for low-income households. Those programs are adding roughly €430 million in monthly costs, further outweighing any gains from higher fuel taxes.

Officials also expect fuel tax revenues to decline as consumers cut back on driving in response to higher prices, limiting the sustainability of any short-term tax boost.

The situation underscores a broader reality facing governments worldwide: even when tax revenues rise during inflationary shocks, higher debt costs and emergency spending can quickly cancel out those gains, leaving little room for broad tax relief or new fiscal stimulus.

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.

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