Why are Texas Property rates extremely High, highest in nation (Austin: oceanfront, 2009)

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Doesn't everyone here who pays property tax able to speak from first hand experience? What are you claiming that is special?

The state of Texas does not collect property tax. In fact that is not permitted by the Texas Constitution. That led to Chapter 41 (Robin Hood) because the court ruled that the funding then for schools amounted to a state property tax - unconstitutional.

All property taxes in Texas are essentially "local" property taxes. School districts, counties, cities, municipal bodies, etc.

I am not sure if your post is directed at me, but there is more to the story, I believe the answer may also have to with state mandates coupled with lack of state aid as well as other factors.

It seems that way because many other states without income tax or direct property tax may lower property taxes, atleast that what county and taxing entities in certain parts of texas claim the problem is.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by tech2enable

I am not sure if your post is directed at me, but there is more to the story, I believe the answer may also have to with state mandates coupled with lack of state aid as well as other factors.

It seems that way because many other states without income tax or direct property tax may lower property taxes, atleast that what county and taxing entities in certain parts of texas claim the problem is.

My comment was NOT directed at you - the post immediately prior to mine referred to "firsthand" experience.

Taxation is never really simple. So many entities can collect taxes and in theory provide some service such as roads or local government.

All things considered - I am most concerned about the total tax burden on the state's residents. I have preferences on how to tax and how not to tax. And I think smarter states like Texas will outperform dumber states, like California, over the long haul.

Texas isn't perfect but our formula produces a more stable economy that favors steady growth.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

My comment was NOT directed at you - the post immediately prior to mine referred to "firsthand" experience.

Taxation is never really simple. So many entities can collect taxes and in theory provide some service such as roads or local government.

All things considered - I am most concerned about the total tax burden on the state's residents. I have preferences on how to tax and how not to tax. And I think smarter states like Texas will outperform dumber states, like California, over the long haul.

Texas isn't perfect but our formula produces a more stable economy that favors steady growth.

Well, it depends the tax burden depends on a person's cirumstances, a millionaire living in a more modest home, would benefit more than most middle income families, I pass no judgment on that because in certain instances it can be a great idea to attract millionaires, however that is debate as millionaires don't just look at income taxes and there may be other reasons such as oil that millionaires become.

The problem is that many texans are fed up with high property taxes, if you lose your job, you can earn less, spend less, but still have to pay property tax. I agree that texas did avoid some of the mistakes California did, but Texas does not have initiative and referendum like California and of course the constitution does have provisions preventing state property and income tax, as well as the school provision.

Keep in mind that the Democrats don't completely control California as there is a two thirds vote to raise taxes or even close corporate loopholes, of course California voters like to pass propositions that they can't afford and the unions are partially to blame too, but that's another topic then texas taxes.

[hoffdano]

I generally view taxation as a dirty task. There is no such thing as an ideal tax system.

California has many many problems that are interlinked - high government spending, volatile tax revenue, and voter behavior.

All things considered - Texas' low spending and current tax system is working.

[malamute]

Too many using government programs and too few taxpayers makes our taxes absurd. We have a very high sales tax, a lottery that was supposed to pay for schools but obviously does not, and property taxes in Texas are insane.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Some here are probably unaware that there is a small handful of Texas counties who also have a "property tax" on vehicles. Bailey County, Texas (2008 county rate of over $0.75 per $100) is one that assesses a heavy annual property tax on vehicles under ten years old.

NOTE: Texas vehicle property tax information is difficult to find on the internet and I have never been able to learn who the other counties are that do this. If anyone knows, please reply in this thread.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

Some here are probably unaware that there is a small handful of Texas counties who also have a "property tax" on vehicles. Bailey County, Texas (2008 county rate of over $0.75 per $100) is one that assesses a heavy annual property tax on vehicles under ten years old.

NOTE: Texas vehicle property tax information is difficult to find on the internet and I have never been able to learn who the other counties are that do this. If anyone knows, please reply in this thread.

Really, I though there was no personal property tax in Texas, which counties are those, this adds to the tax burden for lower and middle income families although luxury cars may be taxed.

Is this limited to only a handful of counties?

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by orbius

Thats a pointless argument. The only thing that matters is the overall property tax burden on Texas residences. And I am here to tell you from first hand experience that burden is high. Everything else is semantics and you're playing the semantics game here.

I agree with you, I never questioned that, hence the title of the post, I am not sure if you were responding to someone else or misinterpreting the comment ,

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

Some here are probably unaware that there is a small handful of Texas counties who also have a "property tax" on vehicles. Bailey County, Texas (2008 county rate of over $0.75 per $100) is one that assesses a heavy annual property tax on vehicles under ten years old.

NOTE: Texas vehicle property tax information is difficult to find on the internet and I have never been able to learn who the other counties are that do this. If anyone knows, please reply in this thread.

Tarrant County assesses a vehicle tax - it's difficult to find tax assessments in Texas because they are local and we have 254 counties, the most in the USA.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

How I'd love to see the entire Republican political regime of Texas be totally discredited for their failures to deal with the state's economy and tax structure!

This is another "myth" about Texas. What Republican Regime? Texas is almost purple in it's State Government which is one of the things that make it work well - the other is that we only allow our CongressCritters to get together for 140 days every other year to minimize the harm they can do to us. Every state in the Union is wishing they had the same "failure" in their economy.

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