special assessment

noun

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of special assessment

: a specific tax levied on private property to meet the cost of public improvements that enhance the value of the property

Recent Examples of special assessment from the Web

As for him, Levin has been running Lean & Green Michigan, which helps municipalities set up special assessment districts through which businesses — which pay the assessments — can get long-term, low-cost loans to make energy-use improvements.

— todd spangler, Detroit Free Press, "Andy Levin looks to take dad Sander Levin's seat in Congress," 13 July 2018
Other suggestions included developer in-kind improvements, tax increment financing, as the site is within existing TIF boundaries, special assessment bonds, and grants and loans from the federal or state Environmental Protection Agency, Smith said.

— ese olumhense, chicagotribune.com, "North Branch Park project could cost up to $200 million, backers say," 29 June 2018
School officials contend that as a state government entity, UMKC is not required to pay a special assessment.

— bill turque, kansascity, "Taxes for KC Streetcar extension to UMKC approved by wide margin in mail-in ballots," 20 June 2018
The non-profit BID has an annual budget of $511,331 and will be bankrolled by special assessments levied on the properties within the District.

— rene rodriguez and kyra gurney, miamiherald, "After decades of neglect, South Beach's Washington Avenue is getting a major renovation | Miami Herald," 4 May 2018
Other possibilities include rental car fees, room taxes, special assessment districts for businesses, and emission fees.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "Hey Boise: Salt Lake City has commuter rail, buses people use, and lessons for you," 10 June 2018
When his association levied a special assessment, a reader of this column was unhappy to learn he was charged 20 percent more than his upstairs neighbors.

— pamela dittmer mckuen, chicagotribune.com, "Have a condo? Pay attention to percentage ownership," 17 Oct. 2017
D’Souza was also sentenced to an eight-hour day of community service every week of the five-year term, weekly counseling, and was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine along with a $100 special assessment.

— Time, "President Trump Says He's Considering Commuting Rod Blagojevich's Sentence and Pardoning Martha Stewart," 31 May 2018
D’Souza was also sentenced to an eight-hour day of community service every week of the five-year term, weekly counseling, and was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine along with a $100 special assessment.

— darlene superville, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump mulls commuting Blagojevich’s term and pardoning Martha Stewart," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'special assessment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of special assessment

1875

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Law Dictionary

special assessment

noun

legal Definition of special assessment

: a specific tax levied on private property to meet the cost of public improvements that provide a special benefit enhancing the value of the property