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Some areas have large Federal facilities. Things like military bases. These place significant demands on local communities (and yes, can add some benefits as well). All other land owners pay taxes on the property they own. Yet the federal government is excluded from doing so. Is that right? Should federal property be exempted from local property taxes?
I think the bigger issue is all the land they do own and how they acquired it. I am not a fan of property taxes anyway. Yes the govt is above the law that is why they shouldn't own just about everything.
Some areas have large Federal facilities. Things like military bases. These place significant demands on local communities (and yes, can add some benefits as well). All other land owners pay taxes on the property they own. Yet the federal government is excluded from doing so. Is that right? Should federal property be exempted from local property taxes?
Actually, they do in a manner of speaking. Federal impact aid is an example of programs designed to offset the lost property tax places, such as a military base, create. It should also be noted that all the people who work at those federal properties pay taxes and most communities benefit, rather than are harmed, by the presence of federal properties, to include miltary bases. Even federal parks, which probably generate the least employees for lost land, still bring in money to the community in the form of tourism. Why do you think communities tried so hard in the last BRAC rounds to keep their military bases?
Actually, they do in a manner of speaking. Federal impact aid is an example of programs designed to offset the lost property tax places, such as a military base, create. It should also be noted that all the people who work at those federal properties pay taxes and most communities benefit, rather than are harmed, by the presence of federal properties, to include miltary bases. Even federal parks, which probably generate the least employees for lost land, still bring in money to the community in the form of tourism. Why do you think communities tried so hard in the last BRAC rounds to keep their military bases?
Those federal "payment in leu of taxes" programs unfortunately are pretty hit and miss, and have to be initiated as new bills every few years. Simply paying their fair share of taxes, like any other property owner, would address this.
Using the arguement you made, should all businesses be exempted from property taxes? The people that work for them pay taxes and most communities benefit.
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