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I'm certainly new to the more political nature of the NC Forum (as opposed to my local RDCH Forum), but I have to admit I have a very hard time following your logic/reasoning/point.
It seems to me that the people who are unable to afford a property tax increase are those on fixed incomes. Are there that many folks who own property but for whom a significant rise in property taxes is the difference between ability to afford or forced to sell at a loss?
No matter which side of the aisle you are on, certainly you understand that economic growth is always the key for rising incomes and a rising tax base, and thus rising state and local revenues.
I was not of the impression that NC had a lower than average INCOME tax, be that on individuals or corporations. I could certainly be wrong.
So can I assume the taker counties will start paying our higher taxes?
Those counties choose to be the way they are because they think taxes are evil. So if they want to pay our same tax rates...
Some of the poorest, rural counties in the state are where tax rates are highest. For example, Scotland County has the highest county rate (which includes the countywide fire district tax) of $1.05 per $1,000 in property valuation. Wake, one of the wealthiest counties, has a rate (including fire district tax) of $.614 per $1,000 property valuation (see link below for reference- the latest that this report was available on the DOR website).
The poor counties don't have the high dollar homes that Wake or Mecklenburg or comparably affluent counties/cities have, or the commercial/industrial activities that are going to easily generate the revenue to support the services that people are still demanding, so taxes have crept way up in many of those those poorer, rural counties. And it hits those who can afford it the least.
Some of the poorest, rural counties in the state are where tax rates are highest. ....
The poor counties don't have the high dollar homes that Wake or Mecklenburg
You left out an important fact. In Mecklenburg for example, it's pretty much impossible to live anywhere in that county, due to it's urban nature, without also having to pay a city tax. If you live in Charlotte, you will pay the highest property tax rates in the state. Even more if you live in one of the special tax zones. If you live in one of the few places in Mecklenburg that has not yet been annexed, you will pay extra fees beyond the tax rate because many Mecklenburg services are combine with Charlotte.
Furthermore, in these counties, the high dollar real estate means a huge tax bill to all the residents. There are also a litany of other mandatory municipal/county fees that you have to pay. And Charlotte/Mecklenburg has the highest total sales tax rate in the state too.
So "tax rates" are not a useful measure. What is the actual tax that people are paying? I'm willing to bet the average working person in Mecklenburg pay much much more in taxes than most anywhere else in the state. I'm also willing to bet they will not be willing to pay even more taxes to subsidize people who choose to live in the backwashes, hollers and bugtussles of NC.
^ Waldo, do you just type this crazy stuff just because you like to see your fingers move? Your post is dead wrong. Charlotte does not have the highest property tax in the state--not even close. Here is a link to comparative tax rate information: County and Municipal Property Tax Rates and Year of Most Recent Revaluation
As you can see, there are many small towns where the combined city/county rates are higher than Charlotte, most of which are in poorer rural counties. Examples include the above-mentioned Scotland County, as well as many others like Sampson, Northampton, Columbus, Wayne, Halifax, etc., etc.
^ Waldo, do you just type this crazy stuff just because you like to see your fingers move? Your post is dead wrong. Charlotte does not have the highest property tax in the state--not even close. Here is a link to comparative tax rate information: County and Municipal Property Tax Rates and Year of Most Recent Revaluation
As you can see, there are many small towns where the combined city/county rates are higher than Charlotte, most of which are in poorer rural counties. Examples include the above-mentioned Scotland County, as well as many others like Sampson, Northampton, Columbus, Wayne, Halifax, etc., etc.
You lose the bet.
As sales taxes become a larger part of revenue, counties which do not have large populations or shopping centers will see the largest increases in real estate taxes. The GOP in Raleigh have capped sales taxes and will force counties to go to the real estate well.
Having moved from a state where based on a tax value of $85K you paid $6K in real estate taxes, I see the same happening here. Other states using this system have the same issues, which create larger population areas (cities) and rural areas filled with the poor.
That chart doesn't list all the taxes that one pays to live in Charlotte as I said in my post which you conveniently overlooked.
Furthermore you missed the entire point and context of that response. It's not about tax rates, it's about total taxes paid. Before you stoop to such commentary as "type this crazy stuff just" why don't you take a breath, read what was written, then respond to that, instead of looking for a way to cast another insult.
I stand by what I said. People in Charlotte pay too much tax and they will not be willing to subsidize people in other counties. There is already a great resentment to how road building is handled in this state, which Charlotteans dearly pay for, and this is more of the same.
That chart doesn't list all the taxes that one pays to live in Charlotte as I said in my post which you conveniently overlooked.
Furthermore you missed the entire point and context of that response. It's not about tax rates, it's about total taxes paid. Before you stoop to such commentary as "type this crazy stuff just" why don't you take a breath, read what was written, then respond to that, instead of looking for a way to cast another insult.
I stand by what I said. People in Charlotte pay too much tax and they will not be willing to subsidize people in other counties. There is already a great resentment to how road building is handled in this state, which Charlotteans dearly pay for, and this is more of the same.
You said: "If you live in Charlotte, you will pay the highest property tax rates in the state." That's incorrect.
Then you said "And Charlotte/Mecklenburg has the highest total sales tax rate in the state too." That's incorrect, too. Both Orange and Durham counties have higher sales tax rates than Charlotte/Mecklenburg.
Then you said county residents outside of Charlotte will pay extra fees "because many Mecklenburg services are combine [sic] with Charlotte." Tell us what services you're talking about here. If it's things like fire protection, trash collection, water/sewer, etc., they are not unique to Mecklenburg county. People in other counties pay for these services as well, whether through municipal providers or private service providers. The bottom line is that you have posted nothing to support your contention that Charlotte/Mecklenburg taxpayers pay more than others in the state, while the facts I posted prove that the opposite is true. The truth is that Charlotte/Mecklenburg taxpayers don't pay "too much tax" as compared to everyone else in the state.
When you post crazy stuff, people will call you out.
.... Tell us what services you're talking about here. If it's things like fire protection, trash collection, water/sewer, etc., they are not unique to Mecklenburg county..... .
It's right there in the chart you posted above. I assume, as usual, you really didn't read it. But then you have already proved this anyway. Sales taxes are wrong too, but no matter. You are avoiding the real point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by arbyunc
.... The truth is that Charlotte/Mecklenburg taxpayers don't pay "too much tax" as compared to everyone else in the state.
This is the real point of the matter. To sum up your diatribe: You don't think people in Charlotte pay enough in taxes and should be paying even more to subsidize the rest of the state. This of course is pure nonsense and proof that you don't have any idea what you are talking about. I will state again, the average person in Charlotte pays far far more in taxes than all the places mentioned in this state.
Sorry, sir, nobody in Mecklenburg, and I assume Wake, Guilford, etc, etc. are going to accept even higher taxes, as you suggest, so subsidize the backwoods of NC. It's socialism and that, has been proven time and time again to fail.
Last edited by WaldoKitty; 12-18-2014 at 03:23 AM..
This is the real point of the matter. To sum up your diatribe: You don't think people in Charlotte pay enough in taxes and should be paying even more to subsidize the rest of the state. This of course is pure nonsense and proof that you don't have any idea what you are talking about. I will state again, the average person in Charlotte pays far far more in taxes than all the places mentioned in this state.
Sorry, sir, nobody in Mecklenburg, and I assume Wake, Guilford, etc, etc. are going to accept even higher taxes, as you suggest, so subsidize the backwoods of NC. It's socialism and that, has been proven time and time again to fail.
Once again, you demonstrate both your inability to comprehend, and your tendency to put words in other people's mouths. I never said people in Charlotte don't pay enough taxes. Where did you get that idea? Perhaps it's merely a weak attempt to obfuscate the incorrect statements you've made in this thread. Just saying "the average person in Charlotte pays far far more taxes..." doesn't make it true. You have posted no reliable evidence to support this claim, because that evidence doesn't exist! I have linked the sales tax data, yet you continue to believe your silly claim. That's either extreme obstinance, or extreme inability to logically process factual information, or perhaps both.
Further, your underlying assumptions are wrong. The proposed sales tax reallocation being discussed in this thread does not include a tax increase. The proposal merely redistributes the current tax revenues. So when you say "...nobody in Mecklenburg...are [sic] going to accept even higher taxes...", guess what? You're wrong again, because no one is proposing higher taxes here.
And finally, you call this "socialism" that "...has been proven time and time again to fail." The following are some of the many areas that benefit from reallocated tax revenues in our state:
Education, including elementary, secondary, and college level facilities, faculty, supplies, and ancillary costs.
Hospitals and other medical facilities.
Roads, bridges, and other transportation-related items (including Charlotte's Outer Loop which is funded in part by the State Highway Trust Fund and General Assembly appropriations, not to mention significant federal funding).
State parks and recreation areas.
Law enforcement.
Socialism? Maybe. "Time and time again" failure? No way.
The funny thing is, I am not in favor of this proposal to reallocate sales tax revenues. I believe the General Assembly should address the root problem, which is insufficient state revenues resulting from their ill-advised tax cut legislation. You are attempting to frame this reallocation proposal as unfair "socialism", and I have merely pointed out that sales taxes (and other revenues) have always been shared and reallocated generally to the benefit of our state as a whole. The problem here is not socialism--it's failure to properly fund state government.
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