Philly homeowners! Anyone else worried ... (Philadelphia, Parker: 2013, mortgages, appliances)

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by mancat100

I much prefer city living too and currently live in one of the "it" neighborhoods - Spruce Hill. Look, I can afford to absorb the impending $2500 property tax increase if I have to. I'm not worried about losing my home. This is ALL about principle for me. Some people are going to get off scott free and I'm going to take a hit to subsidize it. It's blatantly unjust, and it might just pi** me off enough to leave. I live here by choice and I could just as easily choose to leave.

Remember......it's the Scofflaw Subsidy. I've got friends who write for one of the local weeklies and I'm going to see if I can get that term out there.

I agree completely. It is irritating if they were just going to raise taxes of the well off and be done with it... but that is not the case. They are raising property taxes in certain sections of the city to suit what the properties are currently worth, not what they were worth in 1962. Second, the city is implementing a Land Bank which will sell off all tax delinquent, city owned and corporate owned properties to developers who will develop and make MORE taxable properties. Lastly, the city is going to attempt to tax non-profits, who hold a large percentage of land in Philadelphia and are currently not taxed. All of this is to reduce wage and business privilege taxes in an attempt to attract new business to the city.

Aside from the tax delinquent properties (which the city is TRYING to do something about), who is not paying? The poor who's property values are decreasing and they can barely afford their $50,000 home?

I understand your and other's frustrations, but I don't think this is as bad as it sounds. This is just a part of a larger plan.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I agree completely. It is irritating if they were just going to raise taxes of the well off and be done with it... but that is not the case. They are raising property taxes in certain sections of the city to suit what the properties are currently worth, not what they were worth in 1962. Second, the city is implementing a Land Bank which will sell off all tax delinquent, city owned and corporate owned properties to developers who will develop and make MORE taxable properties. Lastly, the city is going to attempt to tax non-profits, who hold a large percentage of land in Philadelphia and are currently not taxed. All of this is to reduce wage and business privilege taxes in an attempt to attract new business to the city.

Aside from the tax delinquent properties (which the city is TRYING to do something about), who is not paying? The poor who's property values are decreasing and they can barely afford their $50,000 home?

I understand your and other's frustrations, but I don't think this is as bad as it sounds. This is just a part of a larger plan.

I do not accept the premise that they are truly trying to collect that money. It's not just delinquent taxes, it's also fines, fees and bail money. This is a longstanding Philadelphia tradition and I see no evidence that its seriously being addressed apart from some window dressing.

[frankgn87]

Ya know.. IF Philly could figure out to make ALL the delinquent tax scofflaws pay up, they would not have to raise the taxes of the honest, paying citizens. But it seems they would rather penalize the good people and allow the leaches to keep going on with free rides.. 'cause it easier to do

[alphamale]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

Wow. So you like the city because you can get drunk easier? Wonderful reason!

Oh and the city 'plans' to reduce the wage tax? LOL okay. I plan to win the lottery too

You too?!

As I said.....they are doing exactly what the dems in DC are doing....transferring the wealth from those who they perceive to have it to those who they need votes from.

Philly has been run by democrats (who are now socialists) for decades. Look at how far they have "progressed".

[alphamale]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

No, just one of the many many reasons I enjoy the city. I guess you just neglected to comprehend everything else I said. As for the wage tax reduction, it was halted due to the economic recession, and the phasing out was set off until 2014, when it is supposed to continue.

The city wage tax is here to stay.

Do you honestly believe that a city with a shrinking tax base will ever be able to eliminate this tax?

[mancat100]

Look. I'm not bashing the city and I'm most certainly not bashing the Democratic Party. I'm only bashing the Scofflaw Subsidy.

I love the city and hope to live here for decades to come. If I leave, it will be with a heavy heart and only because of crap like this.

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by alphamale

The city wage tax is here to stay.

Do you honestly believe that a city with a shrinking tax base will ever be able to eliminate this tax?

Shrinking tax base? Say what? Since when?

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Shrinking tax base? Say what? Since when?

since every day. There are more and more people not paying taxes and getting away with it.. Its Philly's best kept secret to save money

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

since every day. There are more and more people not paying taxes and getting away with it.. Its Philly's best kept secret to save money

Lol I like how you continue to spurt out new nonsense everyday. You must know the things that come out of your mouth aren't true, so why do you even bother?

[frankgn87]

yea okay its nonsense. So much so that Philly is going to raise taxes to make up for the non payers cause it easier to make the honest people pay more then to make the dishonest pay anything..

its true cause I have more years in Philly for 1/2 my life then you have been loving. Came back in 35 years when you have real experience