Property Taxes Are Immoral and Theft
You shouldn't have to continue to pay taxes on something you have already bought.
On social media, there is an image circulating showing an old man holding a sign outlining his plight against property taxes
The sign says that he is receiving social security, so let's assume he's at least 65 years old.
He claims to have finished building his house when he was 25, so on the short end, that would be about 40 years ago or about 1979. If he was 75 years old, that would be 50 years ago or 1969.
Choosing a difference of 10 years gives an approximate range and is important. Because in 1969, the Median price of a new home was around USD$25,000
and in 1979, the Media price was around USD$64,000
~ source for both sets up numbers : https://www.census.gov/const/uspricemon.pdf
Based on his comment, that every 3 years he has cumulatively paid the original cost of his home, a house of $25,000 would seem more reasonable towards that measurement. He would be paying $5,000 a year in property taxes. I find that very believable, because I pay close to half that amount each year on property taxes for a home built in the mid-1980's.
If this man built a home outside of a city in the 1960's or 1970's, he most likely had a large amount of acreage. If the city grew around him, then that acreage would have increased the price of his home. He could easily have a home that is valued at $500,000.
According to this Steemit article : Stop Legalized Plunder, this is near Seattle.
In Seattle, the total 2018 rate was $9.56 per $1,000 in assessed value, a 3.4% increase from 2017.
~ source : https://smartasset.com/taxes/washington-property-tax-calculator
A $500,000 home in the Seattle area would have a $5,125 property tax bill.
According to Zillow
The median home value in King County is $618,300. King County home values have declined -1.2% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will fall -1.9% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in King County is $366, which is higher than the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro average of $284. The median price of homes currently listed in King County is $649,950 while the median price of homes that sold is $589,900.
So, this man signs is probably very accurate.
I live in an area that also has seen extreme growth and increases in property values
and taxes.
And I live in an area that continues to increase property taxes
even when the reason for the taxes (increased school population) is not what they say
Yes, that headline reads 42, not 42 percent. There is a flight to charter, private and homeschooling in the area, because, no matter how much money they spend, the schools are getting worse.
I can assume that there are many retired people in my area suffering the same fate as the man pictured above. As the the area grows and rural becomes urban, they are taxed out of their homes in order to provide services they will probably not use.
Property Tax, the thorn in the side of Freedom
Unfortunately, property tax has been around as long as the country has been.
One of the earliest taxes imposed. In 1634, property taxes were assessed by the colonies. In 1796, 14 of the 15 states collected property tax. Delaware levied tax on income from property, but not on the property itself.
source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/snapshot-taxes-we-paid-then-vs-now
Getting rid of the property taxes would be nearly impossible. Almost every city, county and state relies on it for their tax revenue stream. Sure, the best thing would be for them to start reducing their expenditures and find a reasonable tax that they could collect from everyone to pay for whatever services the community needs.
In the original Declaration of Independence, it had John Locke's "Life, Liberty and Property" as the unalienable rights of every man. But, Jefferson changed it in a final draft to replace the last one with the "Pursuit of Happiness." The Founding Fathers knew that if you put a tax on something, then it isn't alienable anymore. The reason that they changed the word from "Property" is still debated. But, in doing so, they left the gates open for taxation of property and removal of an essential freedom.
the answer is 42.
so what happens when the increase becomes a decrease.
What validates and increase in school taxes then?
I am hoping that there will be more push back on the next bond they'll ask for in 2020, based on patterns.
no one should pay tax on their home.if they own it. hwy robbery
And, you pay taxes when you purchase it.
Of course, same goes for your car, but it is supposed to be for maintenance of the roads, which I am all for. Since electric vehicles get out of paying a gas tax, then there has to be a way to make a usage tax.
But, for your house, it shouldn't matter if you have a bigger house or a smaller house. Or if your house is in a better neighborhood, so it is worth more. It isn't right, fair or anything but theft.
very much so. and only.to get worse
what will it take for the human not want to be ruled by gang's ...?
governments are just our accredited gang's.
when will people be ruled by earth sustainability and better future for all of earth's lifeforms.
Cheer's, i like the posts!
It would probably take a major natural catastrophe, but most likely we'll just start back on the same cycle.