[alessandra1981]

I read that a Florida State rep (Fred Costello) recently introduced a bill to eliminate all property taxes in Florida...instead, the bill calls for raising the sales tax. Can anyone tell me the status of this bill? We're looking to escape the insane, out-of-control property taxes of Long Island (currently at just over $18,000/yr for us...NY is pathetic). If Florida really does eliminate property taxes, we're out of here. Thanks for your information.

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by alessandra1981

I read that a Florida State rep (Fred Costello) recently introduced a bill to eliminate all property taxes in Florida...instead, the bill calls for raising the sales tax. Can anyone tell me the status of this bill? We're looking to escape the insane, out-of-control property taxes of Long Island (currently at just over $18,000/yr for us...NY is pathetic). If Florida really does eliminate property taxes, we're out of here. Thanks for your information.

How much is your house worth? Property taxes are relatively low here and since we do not have state income tax, I do not see how they would be able to eliminate property taxes. If they do, I am out of here. Excessive sales tax is absurd. By the way, you would pay that insanely high sales tax on the purchase of your home...

[FlyMIA]

I don't see that happening. We do no have state income tax which is the way it should be. I feel that state income tax is bascially legal robbery. I doubt the sales tax would work.

[user8]

Originally Posted by alessandra1981

I read that a Florida State rep (Fred Costello) recently introduced a bill to eliminate all property taxes in Florida...instead, the bill calls for raising the sales tax.

republican logic at work...

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

I don't see that happening. We do no have state income tax which is the way it should be. I feel that state income tax is bascially legal robbery. I doubt the sales tax would work.

Not to worry. It's written into the constitution to not have an income tax. It would pretty tough to get that changed (although certainly not impossible)

[alessandra1981]

Just to clarify, the proposal to eliminate property taxes would not be related to a state income tax...the current sales tax would be increased a couple of percentage points instead (and to a level still less than LI's sales tax). Is anyone familiar with the current status of this bill?

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by alessandra1981

Just to clarify, the proposal to eliminate property taxes would not be related to a state income tax...the current sales tax would be increased a couple of percentage points instead (and to a level still less than LI's sales tax). Is anyone familiar with the current status of this bill?

That would not work. Considering we live here and have not heard of it, I would imagine that it's bogus.

And if you think removing property tax would necessitate raising the sales tax "just a percentage or 2", I have some waterfront property in Nevada to sell you.

We dont care how bad your property tax is in New York. We have things just fine here, I recommend you stay put if you think our property tax is repressive.

[crazynip]

This is what he is talking about I think. I doubt it even made it out of committee. The guy is a loon.

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1181

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/01/03...h-sales-taxes/

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/01/07/costello-wants-property-tax-cut-in-return-for-higher-sales-tax.html (broken link)

[boxus]

I do not mind property tax except on two specific points:

1. A property tax also enables the government to seize your property if you do not pay, so a person is essentially renting their property from the government. They need to do away with the seizure power of the government.

2. Property taxes are not fairly assessed. Taxes should not be based on how much property is worth, the worth of a property is little reflection on the resources consumed by the property. Property taxes need to be fairly distributed, not just tied to property value.

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by boxus

2. Property taxes are not fairly assessed. Taxes should not be based on how much property is worth, the worth of a property is little reflection on the resources consumed by the property. Property taxes need to be fairly distributed, not just tied to property value.

There's no way to fairly do that. Rent would be sky high as the cost would be offset to renters, it would also price a fair amount of people completely out of the housing market, just to offset the taxes of some upper class millionaires in 20,000 square foot houses? Even this wackjob teabagger group of Republicans know that would be political suicide and would never do it.