Taxes bad amirite? I mean, I wish my local school districts would stop doing stupid things, but I actually like paying for kids to go to public school.
EDIT: I get letters from the assessor every year and I’ve never been upset or surprised. idk why paying taxes seems to be so offensive to some people ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It is frustrating when they raise property tax every year, claim it’s for schools, and then announce that music and art need to be cut for budget reasons. Meanwhile they also announce tens of of millions for renovating the business district and tens of millions for the restaurant district.
Unfortunately taxes is how gentrification of neighborhoods removes the poors. If property taxes remember relatively flat for low income property owners they could actually benefit from the equity they put into their homes. Instead of rising with the waters of gentrification they are squeezed out of their home and future benefits of living in an improving neighborhood.
Source: happened to a family member (I’m too poor to buy but too wealthy for HUD)
I’d be fine if property taxes were also tied to household income, with no exceptions being made for rentals. Like, raise my taxes and make my income bracket pay 100%, but reduce the property tax rate for households with lower incomes so they can stay in their homes. All taxes should be fair and progressive. Landlords should have to pay full taxes to discourage rentals, unless that’s a shitty idea.
EDIT: actually, make the landlord’s tax rate be tied to the income of the tenants. If you can have low income tenants, you pay less tax. That’s also maybe a shitass idea, but it sounds nice on paper.
You sound like a fit for Habitat for Humanity. Getting a mortgage on a new home through them was maybe the most impactful change in my life. Pick up the phone and call and ask. It’s free. At least check out their website for your area.
It’s not about minding paying taxes. The counties are gouging owners on value that doesn’t exist. This is how people are priced out of their homes. They are raising taxes, forcing people who can’t afford them to leave.
It’s not funny when your family member legitimately does not understand why we need taxes. And has to bring it up every tax season
Cries in Texan
