Eliminate Property Taxes
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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Property taxes are a perennial lien against private property ownership, justified by the need for revenue.[[In-content Ad]]Editor, Times-Union:
Property taxes are a perennial lien against private property ownership, justified by the need for revenue. Indiana uses an arbitrary "state equalized value" system which, in effect, presumes that every home was built this year or is comparable to a home that sold nearby in the recent past.
Suppose you bought a ranch home in Indiana in 1967 for $17,000. That home's value in 2007 is equated to the value of a similar home built anytime in the past 40 years. This ignores the reality of we humans aging and moving toward retirement. Imagine if home mortgages operated this way. The principal of your home mortgage would be revalued based on a comparison to similarly styled housing built at any time during the life of your home mortgage. You would never finish the payments. The state of Indiana property tax system operates with no regard for the date of property purchase. This is contrary to retirement on a fixed income and the aging of the structure, which diminishes its value.
The income tax is more equitable because when income increases, then the income tax paid increases accordingly. When income shrinks, such as at retirement, taxes decrease.
Eliminating the property tax might reverse population loss by attracting businesses and families with the opportunity for actual ownership of property. It would create a boom in home improvements without fear of paying higher taxes. Also, the state would save millions by eliminating the costly system of assessments, record keeping and collecting the property tax. Lastly, the economy would be stronger with farmers, businesses and landlords paying taxes based on income only, not property taxes.
The state of Indiana can now lawfully confiscate a home to satisfy property tax levies. At the same time, property tax exemptions are granted for as long as 10 years to corporations for building or expanding plants, even as huge profits are earned. The farmer and the homeowner are offered no tax abatements. It's time to eliminate property taxes, and rely on income and sales taxes only. Sales taxes on purchases only, not services!
Rick Wagner
Pierceton, via e-mail
Property taxes are a perennial lien against private property ownership, justified by the need for revenue.[[In-content Ad]]Editor, Times-Union:
Property taxes are a perennial lien against private property ownership, justified by the need for revenue. Indiana uses an arbitrary "state equalized value" system which, in effect, presumes that every home was built this year or is comparable to a home that sold nearby in the recent past.
Suppose you bought a ranch home in Indiana in 1967 for $17,000. That home's value in 2007 is equated to the value of a similar home built anytime in the past 40 years. This ignores the reality of we humans aging and moving toward retirement. Imagine if home mortgages operated this way. The principal of your home mortgage would be revalued based on a comparison to similarly styled housing built at any time during the life of your home mortgage. You would never finish the payments. The state of Indiana property tax system operates with no regard for the date of property purchase. This is contrary to retirement on a fixed income and the aging of the structure, which diminishes its value.
The income tax is more equitable because when income increases, then the income tax paid increases accordingly. When income shrinks, such as at retirement, taxes decrease.
Eliminating the property tax might reverse population loss by attracting businesses and families with the opportunity for actual ownership of property. It would create a boom in home improvements without fear of paying higher taxes. Also, the state would save millions by eliminating the costly system of assessments, record keeping and collecting the property tax. Lastly, the economy would be stronger with farmers, businesses and landlords paying taxes based on income only, not property taxes.
The state of Indiana can now lawfully confiscate a home to satisfy property tax levies. At the same time, property tax exemptions are granted for as long as 10 years to corporations for building or expanding plants, even as huge profits are earned. The farmer and the homeowner are offered no tax abatements. It's time to eliminate property taxes, and rely on income and sales taxes only. Sales taxes on purchases only, not services!
Rick Wagner
Pierceton, via e-mail
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