Move over Prop 13, Arizona legislator has an even dumber idea

[IronWing]

No mortgage? No property tax for you!

https://tucson.com/news/local/lawmaker-would-end-property-taxes-for-those-who-paid-off-mortgages/article_c47f1b76-9677-11ed-95f3-170c26eb0402.html

As a person without a mortgage, all I can say is, "gosh, I sure hope this doesn't pass."

The Arizona Reps have a history of passing really stupid policy into law so there is hope.

 

[Pens1566]

While generally a stupid idea, I wonder how many would actually fall into this category.

 

[IronWing]

While generally a stupid idea, I wonder how many would actually fall into this category.

Don't care, would get mine.

I figure that if Reps are determined to implement terribad, regressive tax policy, I might as well jump on one that benefits me. FUGM and all that.

 

[vi edit]

We really didn't need libraries, schools, fire departments or police departments anyway. All liberal overreach.

 

[hal2kilo]

No mortgage? No property tax for you!

https://tucson.com/news/local/lawmaker-would-end-property-taxes-for-those-who-paid-off-mortgages/article_c47f1b76-9677-11ed-95f3-170c26eb0402.html

As a person without a mortgage, all I can say is, "gosh, I sure hope this doesn't pass."

The Arizona Reps have a history of passing really stupid policy into law so there is hope.

What the F does one have to do with the other. Just like the fools with paid off houses in eastern Washington, but stop paying for fire insurance. One is not tied to the other! 0 sympathy for them.
Well, those dirty banks made me pay it with my insurance, I'm sure it's some kind of a scam. /s

 

[pauldun170]

Looking at Pima

What do my property taxes pay for in County services?

• 36.4% goes to the County General Fund, Debt Service, Library District, and Regional Flood Control District
• 42.2% goes to the various school districts
• 9.3% goes to Pima Community College
• 4.2% goes to various cities and towns
• 9.9% goes to other taxing jurisdictions located in the County (fire districts, improvement districts, etc.)

Of each dollar paid by you in property taxes, approximately:

• 31% supports Public Safety
• 23% supports Operations and Maintenance
• 14% supports Health Services
• 11% supports County Libraries
• 6% supports Debt Service
• 6% supports the Regional Flood Control District
• 5% supports Parks and Recreation
• 4% supports various Community Services

My question is what "inspired" this notion that home owners without mortgages should not contribute to the tax base.

 

[vi edit]

My question is what "inspired" this notion that home owners without mortgages should not contribute to the tax base.

The only thing I can see is a desperate hail mary to win over the geriatric vote who probably outright own their home. It's the same argument conservatives have been doing forever to strip away funds from public schools by trying to recruit the olds who "don't benefit" from them.

Oh and the racist vote. Because only brown kids needs public education. There's that too.

 

[IronWing]

My question is what "inspired" this notion that home owners without mortgages should not contribute to the tax base.

A newbie Rep trying to build street cred with her party. Asinine tax cuts with no thought to consequence are a tradition here.

 

[nakedfrog]

"My main heart issue behind it are those, especially elderly folks who are on a fixed income, who lose their homes,'' Jones said. "I just talked with a constituent whose uncle lost his home last year because of this very issue. That's just unacceptable.''

Um, why not craft legislation to address that, then? I know where I live in WA there's some kind of exemption that drastically lowers the property taxes for the elderly.

 

[pcgeek11]

Here we have a rule that after age 65 there is a big reduction of Home Property taxes. Called the Homestead Exemption.

Local Government Services | South Carolina Department of Revenue

dor.sc.gov

The Homestead Exemption is a complete exemption of taxes on the first $50,000 in Fair Market Value of your Legal Residence for homeowners over age 65, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind.

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption, statements 1,2 and 3 must be true.

1. You hold complete fee simple title to your primary legal residence or life estate to your primary legal residence or you are the beneficiary of a trust that holds title to your primary legal residence.
2. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you have resided in South Carolina as your permanent home and legal residence for a full calendar year.
3. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you must be one of the following:
4. a. at least 65 years of age, or
   b. declared totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency having the authority to make such a declaration, or
   c. legally blind as certified by a licensed ophthalmologist.

 

[fskimospy]

Here we have a rule that after age 65 there is a big reduction of Home Property taxes. Called the Homestead Exemption.

Local Government Services | South Carolina Department of Revenue

dor.sc.gov

The Homestead Exemption is a complete exemption of taxes on the first $50,000 in Fair Market Value of your Legal Residence for homeowners over age 65, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind.

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption, statements 1,2 and 3 must be true.

1. You hold complete fee simple title to your primary legal residence or life estate to your primary legal residence or you are the beneficiary of a trust that holds title to your primary legal residence.
2. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you have resided in South Carolina as your permanent home and legal residence for a full calendar year.
3. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you must be one of the following:
4. a. at least 65 years of age, or
   b. declared totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency having the authority to make such a declaration, or
   c. legally blind as certified by a licensed ophthalmologist.

Is there a good reason to give people without mortgages tax exemptions while not giving people with mortgages them? I find it hard to figure what that policy case will be.

 

[IronWing]

Um, why not craft legislation to address that, then? I know where I live in WA there's some kind of exemption that drastically lowers the property taxes for the elderly.

Arizona already has that for poorer, elderly homeowners.

 

[nakedfrog]

Arizona already has that for poorer, elderly homeowners.

Figures :|

 

[pcgeek11]

Is there a good reason to give people without mortgages tax exemptions while not giving people with mortgages them? I find it hard to figure what that policy case will be.

I see no reason to give people without a mortgage a tax exemption. Makes no sense to me. They are still using the same resources that are paid by the taxes.

I can see giving senior citizens a tax break on property taxes.

Fixed incomes.
Been paying property taxes for many years.
No longer has children in schools.

 

[fskimospy]

I see no reason to give people without a mortgage a tax exemption. Makes no sense to me. They are still using the same resources that are paid by the taxes.

I can see giving senior citizens a tax break on property taxes.

I think if we want to subsidize senior citizens we should just give them money as opposed to making tax breaks on property. If our concern is helping the elderly with their needs let’s just do that.

 

[vi edit]

I think if we want to subsidize senior citizens we should just give them money as opposed to making tax breaks on property. If our concern is helping the elderly with their needs let’s just do that.

What kind of commie fascist liberal woke idea is that? Subsidizing is only for farmers and corporations.

 

[zinfamous]

I see no reason to give people without a mortgage a tax exemption. Makes no sense to me. They are still using the same resources that are paid by the taxes.

I can see giving senior citizens a tax break on property taxes.

Fixed incomes.
Been paying property taxes for many years.
No longer has children in schools.

yeah but you're now surrounded by not-your-children, no longer being in schools because you don't want to support the community where you live.

What do you think those newly-minted street hoodlums are going to be getting up to when they have nothing else to do? Leaving the old people alone? lol.

 

[brycejones]

Here we have a rule that after age 65 there is a big reduction of Home Property taxes. Called the Homestead Exemption.

Local Government Services | South Carolina Department of Revenue

dor.sc.gov

The Homestead Exemption is a complete exemption of taxes on the first $50,000 in Fair Market Value of your Legal Residence for homeowners over age 65, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind.

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption, statements 1,2 and 3 must be true.

1. You hold complete fee simple title to your primary legal residence or life estate to your primary legal residence or you are the beneficiary of a trust that holds title to your primary legal residence.
2. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you have resided in South Carolina as your permanent home and legal residence for a full calendar year.
3. As of December 31 preceding the tax year of the exemption, you must be one of the following:
4. a. at least 65 years of age, or
   b. declared totally and permanently disabled by a state or federal agency having the authority to make such a declaration, or
   c. legally blind as certified by a licensed ophthalmologist.

Well that’s stupid

 

[theeedude]

Typical Republicans, screw the young families but keep old singles or couples in large family homes. Then complain that they don't have grandchildren and are being replaced by immigrants.

 

[BoomerD]

Prop 13 dumb? Hell no! It's one of the best pieces of legislation in CA. I wish we had it here in WA. My property taxes have gone up about 40% in 4 years...and are expected to go up another 15-20% this next year.

 

[Moonbeam]

Is there a good reason to give people without mortgages tax exemptions while not giving people with mortgages them? I find it hard to figure what that policy case will be.

Makes no sense to me. That would be as unfair as allowing property taxes to increase based on increasing value of the land to people who would and can pay more if they can drive previous buyers out of those homes by ruining them financially. Taxes should be based on income and real needs fully funded. Fuck property tax and tax on purchases. Inflation destroys money faster than people can save it. The government either owes everyone a job with a living wage or the living wage covered by people with wealth.

 

[Greenman]

Is there a good reason to give people without mortgages tax exemptions while not giving people with mortgages them? I find it hard to figure what that policy case will be.

It appears to be primarily aimed at older people. My new home state has pretty much the same setup, and now being a fellow without an income, I appreciate it.

 

[fskimospy]

It appears to be primarily aimed at older people. My new home state has pretty much the same setup, and now being a fellow without an income, I appreciate it.

Sure, but if the goal is to help out the elderly why should we subsidize older people without mortgages and not those with them? Presumably the average person owning their house free and clear will be better off financially than those still paying a mortgage. Like, who writes a bill to help the elderly and then deliberately crafts it to only help the wealthiest of them? If you want to help old people then just help them, don't disguise it in some property tax scheme. All that aside the bill as written has no age requirement so if you're a trust fund kid and your parents buy you a house you wouldn't pay any property tax.

The woman writing the bill also doesn't seem to understand how property taxes work because she thinks renters don't pay them, when a portion of their rent obviously goes to the property taxes the owner of the building pays. This is just a terrible idea all around, once again nonsensically giving tax benefits to wealthy, incumbent landowners at the expense of everyone else.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Typical Republicans, screw the young families but keep old singles or couples in large family homes. Then complain that they don't have grandchildren and are being replaced by immigrants.

and complain that young people aren’t making the same choices in general

 

[Ajay]

No longer has children in schools.

I hate this one. Everyone needs to contribute to education. We have enough idiots as it is.