FIDO*98* said:

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slaughtr said:

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Every State taxes you somehow. I live in a state with moderate income taxes and low property taxes. Texans are always so proud they live in a state with no income tax, then complain about property tax.

They are going to get you one way or another.

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Since 2011, my property value, and therefore my property taxes have more than doubled. Many people do not have the ability to increase their income by double in a 14 year period. All of the sudden you find yourself in a position no longer being able to afford your home anymore. I would much rather have a flat state income tax and extremely low property taxes than our current system.
There is no exemption on my second home so I get to pay a full tax load and get none of the benefits in return. Our property tax system is completely effed up.

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And you'll actually own your property when all is said and done.

Has this passed the house and the senate? Is this just one of the proposals? Details please

Exemption goes up, and rate increases as well.

Have to have turf football and baseball fields these days it seems.

Hahaha that is so true. Last bond election in CS people were talking about how that was literally the most important thing that could pass.

Signel said:

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Grok says

Gambling Revenue Estimates:

• Casinos: A 2021 study by the Texas House Research Organization estimated that legalizing casinos could generate $1.4 billion to $2.6 billion annually in tax revenue, depending on tax rates (e.g., 15-25%) and the number of licenses. Las Vegas Sands has projected up to $4 billion annually with destination resort casinos.
• Sports Betting: The American Gaming Association estimated in 2023 that legal sports betting could yield $500 million to $1 billion annually in Texas, based on a 10-20% tax rate and market size (Texas' population and sports culture suggest high demand).
• Expanded Lottery: Adding more games or online lottery options could boost revenue. The Texas Lottery generated $2.4 billion in 2024 for public education and veterans' programs, but expansion could add $200-500 million annually, per legislative estimates.

These funds could be earmarked for property tax relief, such as funding school tax rate compression or increasing homestead exemptions, reducing homeowner bills without an income tax.

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I see you haven't been paying attention.

When government adds a revenue stream it is exactly that, an addition.

New taxes WILL NEVER replace an existing tax, especially one as lucrative and vital as property tax.

Eliminate this tax on unrealized gains. That's Hillary Clinton stuff. Move to a consumption tax. You decide when to pay it. Taxation isn't the real problem, spending is. Politicians like Patrick, Bettancourt, Kolkorst, and Wharton burn our money on their vanity projects then call what's left a "surplus". There is no surplus, only overtaxation in previous years.

cslifer said:

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Hahaha that is so true. Last bond election in CS people were talking about how that was literally the most important thing that could pass.

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In our district, we passed one to build a softball field on school property that would be with all the other fields.

2 years later, nothing has been done, but the baseball field got turf put on it and I believe the track or football field got redone.

Softball is still playing at the fields that the little league uses.

cslifer said:

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Hahaha that is so true. Last bond election in CS people were talking about how that was literally the most important thing that could pass.

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I have a policy that any bond election on any ballot I ever see, gets a no vote.

CDUB98 said:

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Quote:

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Taxes are the cost of living in a civilized society.

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Govern me harder, daddy.

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If you are looking for alternatives, Mexico has a lower tax/GDP ratio. There aren't many countries lower. You may have higher security costs, though. To me, it's worth the extra money for the USA.

They also leech off of the security that big brother to the north gives them. We spend over 3% of our GDP on defense. Canada is 1.3% and Mexico is 0.9%.

Showstopper said:

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CDUB98 said:

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Quote:

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Taxes are the cost of living in a civilized society.

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Govern me harder, daddy.

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If you are looking for alternatives, Mexico has a lower tax/GDP ratio. There aren't many countries lower. You may have higher security costs, though. To me, it's worth the extra money for the USA.

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Not lower than the bottom half of American pay which is net zero. Therein lies the problem.

The American top 1% pay double in taxes than they get in their share of the GDP.

Lower my net taxes to 10%, I provide my own domestic security.

Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

FIDO*98* said:

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slaughtr said:

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Every State taxes you somehow. I live in a state with moderate income taxes and low property taxes. Texans are always so proud they live in a state with no income tax, then complain about property tax.

They are going to get you one way or another.

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Since 2011, my property value, and therefore my property taxes have more than doubled. Many people do not have the ability to increase their income by double in a 14 year period. All of the sudden you find yourself in a position no longer being able to afford your home anymore. I would much rather have a flat state income tax and extremely low property taxes than our current system.
There is no exemption on my second home so I get to pay a full tax load and get none of the benefits in return. Our property tax system is completely effed up.

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Ok your appraisal has increased.
What have your tax RATES done in that time? If your taxes paid have also doubled then your neighbors are voting every bond proposal into paying and letting your local teaching authorities increase their annual budgets.

Tax RATES are calculated annually for ever taxing authority after the appraisals are finalized.

Lathspell said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

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And your suggestion to fund the state government?

increasing exemption amounts gives the politicians something to crow about but valuation increases will gobble those up over time.

one safe place said:

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increasing exemption amounts gives the politicians something to crow about but valuation increases will gobble those up over time.

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Yup. This is really more akin to an inflation adjusted exemption. Nothing has truly improved, but the politicians all fellate each other as if they just won WW II.

Cool sounds like you are all set for your relocation to Mexico then. Enjoy!

Signel said:

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Grok says

Gambling Revenue Estimates:

• Casinos: A 2021 study by the Texas House Research Organization estimated that legalizing casinos could generate $1.4 billion to $2.6 billion annually in tax revenue, depending on tax rates (e.g., 15-25%) and the number of licenses. Las Vegas Sands has projected up to $4 billion annually with destination resort casinos.
• Sports Betting: The American Gaming Association estimated in 2023 that legal sports betting could yield $500 million to $1 billion annually in Texas, based on a 10-20% tax rate and market size (Texas' population and sports culture suggest high demand).
• Expanded Lottery: Adding more games or online lottery options could boost revenue. The Texas Lottery generated $2.4 billion in 2024 for public education and veterans' programs, but expansion could add $200-500 million annually, per legislative estimates.

These funds could be earmarked for property tax relief, such as funding school tax rate compression or increasing homestead exemptions, reducing homeowner bills without an income tax.

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Much similar to America in general, Texas does NOT have a revenue problem, we have a spending / expenditure problem. The politicians never met a single issue that they can't exploit or pretend to address with our tax dollars. If and when the feds and state quit trying to be all things for all people, we might have a chance of a truly sustainable budget.

WestAustinAg said:

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Has this passed the house and the senate? Is this just one of the proposals? Details please

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The House and Senate seem to have agreed on property tax relief consisting of 4 things.

1) Homestead exemption increased by $40k
2) Over 65 and Disabled exemptions increased by $50k
3) A new exemption for business personal property in the amount of $125,000.
4) School tax rate compression of 6.8 cents


So #1 should save homeowners about $400 mostly across the board, seniors may not save if this doesnt lower their school tax to the point where its below their ceiling.

#2 would then be up to about $500 but also mostly might not affect many seniors at all if they are above their ceiling by a large amount anyway. For some in lower value properties, it will take their school taxes down to zero (as the homestead plus over 65 total exemption is now $200k). Interestingly, my first thought is that if you can move into a $200k or less condo for a year after turning 65, your school tax would be guaranteed to be $0, which becomes your ceiling, and then you could move back to a property of any value, and when that gets transferred, the way the calculation works, your school tax will always be $0.

#3 means small businesses with a handful of employees and not much property really no longer have to pay tax. I have questions about how this is going to be administered, as unlike the old "exemption if under a minimum" this is a $125k exemption, so if you have $200k of bpp, now you would only pay on $75k left over. What about a business, that has 7 locations, all under $100k? DO they get the exemption at every location? What about businesses for which the CAD has divided their bpp into multiple accounts? Are they gonna get two exemptions because they have 2 accounts? Its gonna be a mess.

#4 This will save everyone, homeowners, commercial owners, and businesses, $68 per $100k of value. So if your house is worth $800k for example, you're actually getting more benefit from this than #1.

The issue is still politicians using value increases as budget increases rather than lowering their rates and trimming down, and will always be that. These exemptions are just relief valves to claw some of the tax increases back that result from rates not being lowered when values go up.

Tom Fox said:

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Lathspell said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

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And your suggestion to fund the state government?

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The original declaration of independence was going to say life, liberty, and property. Unfortunately, humans were property at the time so it was modified. Property taxes should be unconstitutional. Part of my income will hit the top marginal tax bracket so it's not like I'm not paying my share of federal income tax, but there are better ways to fund state.

Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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The problem is it's a low rate on a high amount of your net worth. If the average home is 3x the average salary, a 2% property tax is 6% of your income. That's pretty high.

FIDO*98* said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Lathspell said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

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And your suggestion to fund the state government?

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The original declaration of independence was going to say life, liberty, and property. Unfortunately, humans were property at the time so it was modified. Property taxes should be unconstitutional. Part of my income will hit the top marginal tax bracket so it's not like I'm not paying my share of federal income tax, but there are better ways to fund state.

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I've always wondered how property taxes were ever constitutional under the fifth amendment "takings clause".

Quote:

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No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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Property taxes are simply taking a portion of your property (cash in the bank) based on the value of another piece of property.

Income taxes and consumption taxes at least make some sense because they are taken on the transaction (i.e. no one's "property" at the time).

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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No, it's a wealth tax, which is worse.

FIDO*98* said:

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slaughtr said:

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Every State taxes you somehow. I live in a state with moderate income taxes and low property taxes. Texans are always so proud they live in a state with no income tax, then complain about property tax.

They are going to get you one way or another.

---

Since 2011, my property value, and therefore my property taxes have more than doubled. Many people do not have the ability to increase their income by double in a 14 year period. All of the sudden you find yourself in a position no longer being able to afford your home anymore. I would much rather have a flat state income tax and extremely low property taxes than our current system.
There is no exemption on my second home so I get to pay a full tax load and get none of the benefits in return. Our property tax system is completely effed up.

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I would love to know what your resolution is

FIDO*98* said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Lathspell said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

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And your suggestion to fund the state government?

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The original declaration of independence was going to say life, liberty, and property. Unfortunately, humans were property at the time so it was modified. Property taxes should be unconstitutional. Part of my income will hit the top marginal tax bracket so it's not like I'm not paying my share of federal income tax, but there are better ways to fund state.

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Again, how? Why is it so difficult to state your alternative!

What's funny is that you have active/current legislators that own Property Tax Agencies/Companies.

They are behind the legislation for increases in exemption amounts (I believe bettencourt is behind the 140k increase in HS exemption), but eliminating property tax all together is something they DO NOT support, as this would eliminate the businesses they own.

So in order to eliminate property taxes homeowners in Texas have many things to consider. Two of the bigger points are:

1) if property taxes are eliminated how does the state make up an ~80Bil loss in revenue.

2) if influential legislators own property tax agencies/companies, what is the best way to go about voting them out of office; as they will most likely oppose the elimination of property taxes due to their conflict of interest

Tom Fox said:

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Lathspell said:

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Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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I don't care if I only paid $1,000 a year on property tax, I still don't think it should exist. I believe in property ownership and you don't own your property if you have to pay the government to live there.

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And your suggestion to fund the state government?

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Cut spending, a lot

Tom Fox said:

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Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains, which I thought Republicans were against.

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It is but the rate is extremely low. The alternatives will be more invasive to those already paying the majority of taxes. The average Texan pays less than $4k in property taxes. I mean how low does it need to be?

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Zero

Bettencourt is anti-tax and is one of the few morons that get themselves elected that actually understands the system and the effects tgat changes will have. I fear what we'd end up with if he were voted out by a "get rid of property tax" movement.

I am in the same business, so you can dismiss my opinion safely though.

JJxvi said:

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Bettencourt is anti-tax and is one of the few morons that get themselves elected that actually understands the system. I fear what we'd end up with if he were voted out by a "get rid of property tax" movement.

I am in the same business, so you can dismiss my opinion safely though.

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Of course. It's biased, which is completely understandable.

I don't think bettencourt is going to support eliminating property taxes, given that there would be an adverse impact to his business.

If property taxes were eliminated in such a way that he could restructure his business to meet the needs of property owners with whatever new system was in place however that might make sense.

Pizza said:

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What's funny is that you have active/current legislators that own Property Tax Agencies/Companies.

They are behind the legislation for increases in exemption amounts (I believe bettencourt is behind the 140k increase in HS exemption), but eliminating property tax all together is something they DO NOT support, as this would eliminate the businesses they own.

So in order to eliminate property taxes homeowners in Texas have many things to consider. Two of the bigger points are:

1) if property taxes are eliminated how does the state make up an ~80Bil loss in revenue.

2) if influential legislators own property tax agencies/companies, what is the best way to go about voting them out of office; as they will most likely oppose the elimination of property taxes due to their conflict of interest

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Tariffs. The state could impose tariffs on all imported goods...

Pizza said:

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JJxvi said:

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Bettencourt is anti-tax and is one of the few morons that get themselves elected that actually understands the system. I fear what we'd end up with if he were voted out by a "get rid of property tax" movement.

I am in the same business, so you can dismiss my opinion safely though.

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Of course. It's biased, which is completely understandable.

I don't think bettencourt is going to support eliminating property taxes, given that there would be an adverse impact to his business.

If property taxes were eliminated in such a way that he could restructure his business to meet the needs of property owners with whatever new system was in place however that might make sense.

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Is it a "conflict of interest" for a lawmaker to vote for the elimination of property tax because they "own property"?

Booma94 said:

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Pizza said:

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What's funny is that you have active/current legislators that own Property Tax Agencies/Companies.

They are behind the legislation for increases in exemption amounts (I believe bettencourt is behind the 140k increase in HS exemption), but eliminating property tax all together is something they DO NOT support, as this would eliminate the businesses they own.

So in order to eliminate property taxes homeowners in Texas have many things to consider. Two of the bigger points are:

1) if property taxes are eliminated how does the state make up an ~80Bil loss in revenue.

2) if influential legislators own property tax agencies/companies, what is the best way to go about voting them out of office; as they will most likely oppose the elimination of property taxes due to their conflict of interest

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Tariffs. The state could impose tariffs on all imported goods...

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That is an option, but when costs increase for a supplier, sales prices of their goods/services inevitably increase, so the consumer is still effectively taxed.

Most arguments in favor of eliminating property taxes end up becoming a "6 of one, or a half dozen of another" or robbing Peter to pay Paul" discussion.

It isn't an easy problem to solve, and will take an enormous amount of time to do properly imo.

WestAustinAg said:

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Has this passed the house and the senate? Is this just one of the proposals? Details please

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I thought it passed the House at some point