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New Yorkers pay the highest property taxes in America.
New York property taxes are 78% higher than the national average.
New York schools outside of New York City spend more per student
than any state in the nation – an estimated $18,768 in 2008-09.
New York’s per student spending is more than 50 percent above the national average.
The New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief recently
released their final report with recommendations on how to fix this.
It is an excellent report that is very interesting reading. You can read it here.
Read the report and spread the word. New York needs to start implementing these changes now.
NYS has always had high taxes. Government, spending, highways, theaters, sports teams, waterfronts, teachers union, police, parks, just to name a FEW.
Our taxes are high, but our homes are affordable. Our teachers and police officers are paid very well. Our education system is not the best, but is still ranked high.
Personally I don't think our way of life in most of NYS is that bad, however the high tax keeps new business away and stunts growth.
NY is the media and political capital of the liberal socialist elite in the U.S. The only thing that will prevent the continual expansion of government and subsequent tax increases is if these folks are swept out of power, a major economic downturn or upstate succession (unlikely).
I think the downturn has yet to severely hit the people hard enough that they push back in the media or at the ballot box. Very much an up hill battle there considering the power of the agenda driven media.
Thanks Smalltownusa for the information about Tom Golisano's site. It is called Responsible New York. They have a petition that you can sign. I signed it. The petition says:
As a New Yorker, I believe real estate taxes are far too high. I call upon you, my elected representative, to correct this inequity, giving Upstate New Yorkers the opportunity to thrive and prosper.
New Yorkers pay the highest property taxes in America.
New York property taxes are 78% higher than the national average.
New York schools outside of New York City spend more per student
than any state in the nation – an estimated $18,768 in 2008-09.
New York’s per student spending is more than 50 percent above the national average.
I have no idea where you're getting this $18K from!!! The average in the Albany area is about $8K - that's $10K less. Good luck getting a Northern education ANYWHERE else! I have friends who moved south who sent their kids to private school and they are STILL behind where they were up here.
Yes, our property taxes are higher than other states. However, we don't have personal property taxes like many other states. You don't pay an additional tax each year for your cars, boats, atvs, etc. Many other states charge you an annual tax on them.
Other states have many hidden taxes. We were looking to relocate to NC and holy cow the DMV fees were WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY higher than we pay now. The taxes also weren't that much lower. In some areas, they were higher and then you have your personal property taxes there. Oh and income taxes are HIGHER in NC than NY. So there's that to think about also.
And NY is one of the most populated states in the country. That means there's more people who need public assistance and healthcare.
There's also the weather and roads. It costs a FORTUNE to clear and salt roads in the winter. Those roads take a beating and need to be repaired and replaced frequently.
Saratoga Springs has a school budget of $107 Million. If you divide that by 6,857 students it equals $15,600 per student.
Schuylerville has a school budget of $30.5 Million. If you divide that by 1,862 students it equals $16,380 per student.
North Carolina may have a slightly lower personal income tax. You can see it here at Bankrate.com. Most people in NC are paying 6% or 7%.
You can see New York's tax rates here. Most New Yorkers are paying 6.85%.
The purpose of my original post was to point out that the commission's report contains numerous recommendations to lower property taxes without lowering educational standards. The report also explains why our taxes are so high.
I am not an expert in property taxes and I will gripe about them with everyone else. Still, I have seen some myths perpetrated in this thread that should be corrected.
First off, NYC is not subsidized by upstate--- it is the other way around.
Secondly, property taxes do not subsidize anyone outside of your own county. Property tax rates are set by your county, town and school district. Nobody outside your county gets a penny of your property tax revenues.
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High Property Taxes in New York State
