Alternatives to Property Taxes

[kathy88]

A large portion of our county taxes funds the school district. If the property taxes were eliminated, what would be some logical options to replace those revenues? A county sales tax? At least that way, everyone doing business in he county pays something. What other options are there?

 

[PierzStyx]

No taxes. Return the education system back to private enterprise. It'll take care of itself.

 

[kathy88]

No taxes. Return the education system back to private enterprise. It'll take care of itself.

Ideally, but that not being an option at this point I'm looking for a way to keep the revenue stream and have it not be funded in a discriminatory manner.

 

[ninepointfive]

This country will collapse before anything happens in that regard. I think we're stuck with it.

 

[Keith and stuff]

A dozen communities in NH don't have property taxes. The students that live there are either homeschooled, unschooled or go to private schools. As for other government services, those are paid mostly by either user fees or the commercial timber operation tax.

As for alternatives to local property taxes paying for schools, we have two other options in NH. There is an online school paid for with state tax money, much of it from the lottery. It is free for NH residents. There are also state charter schools. They are paid by state taxes and the federal government so no property taxes go to them. They are also free to residents.

Send all kids to chartered schools or private schools and you can eliminate property taxes is a bunch more communities in NH and save the state a ton of money. Governments spend around $16000 a year per student on regular government schools but only around $6000 on chartered government schools.

 

[brushfire]

15 year voucher program. That would allow the further establishment of private enterprise, and eventually lead to the end of government schools. I dont agree with the charter school idea, as it still leaves government with the control. 92% of my property tax goes towards government schools, with the distribution being somewhere near $10,000 per student, annually.

In IL, the teacher's union has the government by the ballz though, so its very unlikely that we'll get anything done until we're completely bankrupt, and the government defaults on the unions/pensions.

 

[kathy88]

A dozen communities in NH don't have property taxes. The students that live there are either homeschooled, unschooled or go to private schools. As for other government services, those are paid mostly by either user fees or the commercial timber operation tax.

As for alternatives to local property taxes paying for schools, we have two other options in NH. There is an online school paid for with state tax money, much of it from the lottery. It is free for NH residents. There are also state charter schools. They are paid by state taxes and the federal government so no property taxes go to them. They are also free to residents.

Send all kids to chartered schools or private schools and you can eliminate roperty taxes is a bunch more communities in NH and save the state a ton of money. Governments spend around $16000 a year per student on regular government schools but only around $6000 on chartered government schools.

There is one private school in the county and it is run by fundy uber right wing whacko speaking in tongues "Christians."

 

[Keith and stuff]

There is one private school in the county and it is run by fundy uber right wing whacko speaking in tongues "Christians."

Are there any state chartered schools there? Is there an online school? A local homes holing group? If you want to reduce the increases in your property taxes, try to sell these alternatives to area parents. Unfortunately, fear is the biggest motivator for many people.

 

[Crystallas]

There is one private school in the county and it is run by fundy uber right wing whacko speaking in tongues "Christians."

That is one of the problems. Your county hasn't even begun laying the groundwork for private competition. With a state monopoly, you're going to have a hard time crunching accurate numbers on what revenue is needed for public education, in some attempt to apply a 'gradualism' transition.

 

[erowe1]

I don't think that property taxes are worse than other taxes.

 

[kathy88]

I don't think that property taxes are worse than other taxes.

I do. They hurt the elderly the most. People work their whole lives to pay off their homes andn ever actually own them. They are on fixed income and if they can't pay their taxes they lose their homes. It happens so much around here it's disgusting. A 1 percent sales tax would probably generate more revenue and everyone would have to contribute. Even the welfare queens and kings.

 

[amy31416]

I don't think that property taxes are worse than other taxes.

They wouldn't be if you only paid them once per property. Annual taxes are essentially rent and your lovely county officials can decide to raise yours when they might get a kickback from the developer who sees your property as a nice strip mall and you refuse to leave.

 

[Gray Seal]

Transfer fees would be more fair than property tax. Transfer fees are applied whenever money exchanges hands. Transfer fees are more fair than sales taxes. Sales taxes hit lower income harder. Transfer fees would apply to the use of money for all purposes.

 

[amy31416]

I do. They hurt the elderly the most. People work their whole lives to pay off their homes andn ever actually own them. They are on fixed income and if they can't pay their taxes they lose their homes. It happens so much around here it's disgusting. A 1 percent sales tax would probably generate more revenue and everyone would have to contribute. Even the welfare queens and kings.

Definitely agree with this as well. And costs are going to go up for them as Obamacare is implemented, making them even more vulnerable. One path I was looking at before major changes in my life was that I would live with my mother in order to take care of the maintenance, finances, offset the costs and be there to figure out all this Medicare BS for her. I was still getting bills for her care a YEAR after she passed away.

 

[jbauer]

I don't think that property taxes are worse than other taxes.

Most other taxes require consumption in some form or fashion.

 

[jbauer]

I do. They hurt the elderly the most. People work their whole lives to pay off their homes andn ever actually own them. They are on fixed income and if they can't pay their taxes they lose their homes. It happens so much around here it's disgusting. A 1 percent sales tax would probably generate more revenue and everyone would have to contribute. Even the welfare queens and kings.

Brings up a good question, if you're on food stamps do they waive the taxes on them? Or does the food stamp program actually fund sales tax? If it does we need to make a food stamp tax in our state.

 

[Czolgosz]

If it's not voluntary, end it.

 

[kpitcher]

Not sure how common it is but in Michigan we do homestead exemption - primary home doesn't pay school taxes on property. Commercial/Industry is not exempt. I'm in an area with a lot of 2nd homes primarily owned by Chicago people. My little area supplies over 50% of the school district budget.

 

[amy31416]

Not sure how common it is but in Michigan we do homestead exemption - primary home doesn't pay school taxes on property. Commercial/Industry is not exempt. I'm in an area with a lot of 2nd homes primarily owned by Chicago people. My little area supplies over 50% of the school district budget.

Can you describe how this works and what qualifies/disqualifies a homeowner? The info on the 'net is a bit confusing.

 

[TonySutton]

There is one private school in the county and it is run by fundy uber right wing whacko speaking in tongues "Christians."

Sounds like an opportunity waiting to happen. I agree with Keith that a state wide online system would be great because the more people who use it the better chance it has to do well and prosper. Charter schools would also be a good option. These can be a bit harder to get off the ground unless you have other like-minded people pushing for it.