Should the Federal Government pay local Property Taxes

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by gwynedd1

That is completely idiotic.

No it's not. A person's home should not be taxed. Period. An income tax would be much more fair.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

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?

Duh! Because they bring a whole lot more to the local economies then they would pay in property tax.

All you have to do is watch politicians go berserk about how much it will hurt the local economy, whenever a military based is talked about for closing.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

Duh! Because they bring a whole lot more to the local economies then they would pay in property tax.

All you have to do is watch politicians go berserk about how much it will hurt the local economy, whenever a military based is talked about for closing.

So? Private businesses do the same, should they be exempted from paying property taxes? If not, why should federal property? They both demand the same in local services (roads/infrastructure), why should both not pay the same?

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

So? Private businesses do the same, should they be exempted from paying property taxes? If not, why should federal property? They both demand the same in local services (roads/infrastructure), why should both not pay the same?

It's too late on that. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) made that impossible.

[Oldhag1]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

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.

State and local governments make those deals at times with businesses to entice them to come to their community and bring the jobs with them. The state and county where I just moved from did it with a battery factory a year or so ago.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Oldhag1

State and local governments make those deals at times with businesses to entice them to come to their community and bring the jobs with them. The state and county where I just moved from did it with a battery factory a year or so ago.

Yes, they do. But they are not with all businesses, nor are they "forever". Usually those tax breaks are for a limited time frame. Nor are local government required to offer any such tax breaks. Unlike the government.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

So? Private businesses do the same, should they be exempted from paying property taxes? If not, why should federal property? They both demand the same in local services (roads/infrastructure), why should both not pay the same?

Are you really that un-informed?

You should do SOME research before making such foolish statements.

Military bases bring in Billions to local economies.

this is JUST in NJ from 2002
"Profile of Military Bases
· The military's presence in New Jersey is substantial.
· There was over $5 billion in State-based military spending in 2002.
· $1.6 billion of this spending was allocated to military payrolls.
· $3.4 billion of the spending was dedicated to military contracts.
· The substantial military payroll supported 43,000 jobs on military bases.
· Over half of the jobs were those of reservists or members of the National Guard. These are jobs that are generally used to supplement incomes of area households.

Off-base Spending, Multiplier Effects, and Total Military-only Impacts
· Off-base military spending directly contributed to slightly more than 21,000 jobs and $1.3 billion to payrolls of firms operating in the State (a respectable payroll of $61,905 per job).

We conservatively estimate that due to the out-migration of military spouses and retirees 8,000 full-time-equivalent jobs making $370 million would be lost to the economy if all military facilities stopped operating within the State."
Center for Urban Policy Research ::: Projects ::: The Economic Impact of Military Bases in NJ


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