Big House on Bitters Rd? (San Antonio, Bowie: sales, how much, purchase)

[wCat]

Originally Posted by dendox

was just coming here to post a link to the article.

first goats then mini horses - creative to be sure.

That is one big tax bill. They aren't talking about reducing the value of the property by $50,0000......they are talking about reducing the TAX BILL by 50K!

Something tells me Hill Country Village will be gathering the city fathers to amend ag use in their city. These people are making a mockery of HCV and Bexar county. Tax dodge....absolutely. They have more than enough money to raise tiny donkeys in the country somewhere.

[cr1039]

Wow, how classless and tacky.

Spend 15 million dollars building a 10 million dollar home and then try to keep the city from receiving your fair share of taxes...

[01Snake]

Originally Posted by wCat

That is one big tax bill. They aren't talking about reducing the value of the property by $50,0000......they are talking about reducing the TAX BILL by 50K!

Something tells me Hill Country Village will be gathering the city fathers to amend ag use in their city. These people are making a mockery of HCV and Bexar county. Tax dodge....absolutely. They have more than enough money to raise tiny donkeys in the country somewhere.

Nice of you to leave out the fact they are still paying a ridiculous amount in taxes.

But they've had unusual success. This year, they slashed roughly $50,000 from their $236,000 tax bill. It's a benefit they're now entitled to receive every year.

How exactly are the making a mockery of the system? Its the law and they are following it. You would do the same thing if you were paying almost a quarter of a million in property taxes a year.

Horray for class warfare!

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Bowie

This house made the front page of today's Express-News.

A tax break or a tax dodge?

It doesn't bother me that they found a way to beat the system
what bothers is the people that defend them.

They found a way around,
but ALL OF US should agree that the laws need to be changed to keep people from doing that.

For the people that defend them...
anytime somebody "beats the system", the system makes everybody else pay for them

[cr1039]

01Snake ^^ I understand a property owners right to take full advantage of the law and any loopholes that otherwise save them $.

BUT, I do wonder what it costs to keep those 18 head of donkey. Vet bills, water and food, attendants, their shelter etc, etc.

If it costs them say 1,500 per donkey per year...that is 27K not counting a farm hand.

Eh, I really would not do it if "it were me". If it were me, I would not cry poor mouth when it came time to pay my taxes. Why are the Kolitzs suddenly shocked by and trying to lower their property taxes? I mean please...budget for it and expect it. You have a 10 million dollar property and need to pay on that.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by cr1039

^^ I understand a property owners right to take full advantage of the law and any loopholes that otherwise save them $.

BUT, I do wonder what it costs to keep those 18 head of donkey. Vet bills, water and food, attendants, their shelter etc, etc.

If it costs them say 1,500 per donkey per year...that is 27K not counting a farm hand.

Don't waste your time thinking about it,
you can be 100% sure that they do it because it saves them money.

[datacity]

Originally Posted by Dopo

It doesn't bother me that they found a way to beat the system
what bothers is the people that defend them.

They found a way around,
but ALL OF US should agree that the laws need to be changed to keep people from doing that.

For the people that defend them...
anytime somebody "beats the system", the system makes everybody else pay for them

"The small herd of about 18 donkeys allows the Kolitzes to claim an agricultural valuation on most of their land, which drops the taxable value of the parcel from about $2.2 million to $2,350." - Express-News

Maybe the Ag Exemption should not be worth as much as it is... or even exist. I know, them are fighting words, but really, I have never understood the significant tax reduction people get for owning a lot of land... shouldn't you be able to afford the taxes if you want to own that much land. Oh, sure there may be ranchers and farmers who couldn't survive without the exemption, but as with any exceptions, you will have consequences like this. Logically, land in the country is supposed to be worth less than in the city anyway, so if you still cannot pay taxes on the land and need an Ag Exemption, something doesn't make "cents."

It may be harsh, but if property taxes are to be based on market value, tax on that value for everyone or give bigger breaks to everyone whether they have cattle on their land or children to feed in their house.

[jwebtx]

Wow, the article reaks of envy. They are properly avoiding taxes- not illegally evading.

[kevcrawford]

The guidelines for ag exemptions are pretty strict right now, so they've been properly screened to make sure they qualify. You can't just throw a few cows on land and pay less taxes. It's basically a business expense, as they're using that land to make money for themselves.

Should we be complaining about the fact that someone is getting a tax break, or should we be complaining that the government is getting so dang much from us all?

This is like a little kid breaking a toy because his brother wants to play with it. Now he can't play with it either, but at least his brother can't.

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by Bowie

This house made the front page of today's Express-News.

A tax break or a tax dodge?

I swear, how many times have we discussed something here and it appears in the news shortly thereafter???