Jarrin' Jay said:
Martin Cash said:
Jason C. said:
Taxes that increase with fluctuating "market-based" property appraisals carried out by the taxing entity, instead of by vote by representatives, are undemocratic. Especially when they're (after income taxes) the largest tax most taxpayers pay. We aren't talking adding half a penny to sales tax when a housing market gets hot.
You do realize that the taxing entities have nothing to do with appraisals, right?
It is a scam system. If you bought your house for $300K you should be taxed on $300K. Not $450K just because maybe you could sell it for that. What if the valuation was $1 million? Why should you have to pay tax on $1 million?
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As well, I don't think people should have to pay ISD taxes if they do not have children attending the ISD. There is way too much waste and reckless spending and budget increases in public school systems. They only way this stops is to cut off the $ flow and have the ISDs and schools be held accountable to those who are actually using and paying for the services.
To your first point, I agree in principle, but I worry about the unintended consequences. Though your tax burden is locked in, it also prohibits people from selling later. That will inevitably have an effect on the market.
I agree about the ISD taxes as well. I'm not sure the solution though. Because even though I might not have kids attending school any longer, I still benefit from my house being zoned to good schools. Is that worth the amount we pay? I dont think so...but it is worth something.
What blows my mind about that discussion, is the amount of $$ schools spend on each kid per year. While private schools have as good or better education, and spend far less per child.