The Coffee House

[jeffashman19 4]

Y’all are paying 8% and they call us Taxachusetts? Do you have state income tax?

No income tax, but a horrible property tax that comes out to 23.71 cents per $100 valuation on our house. With all of our taxes combined, we actually pay more in taxes than a lot of Californians in a comparable income range. Taxes can be hidden in so many fun ways.

 

[SquarePeg45 7]

Massachusetts has a 5% state income tax rate. My city’s property tax rate is pretty low (10.42/1,000) due to Proposition 2 1/2.

‘Proposition 2 1/2 is a 1980 state law that requires municipalities to obtain Town Meeting and voter approval to raise property taxes by more than 2.5 percent year over year. ‘

Our city had a successful prop 2 1/2 override vote a few years ago and taxes jumped up but, they’re still relatively low compared to most similar cities in MA.

 

[smoke665]

‘Proposition 2 1/2 is a 1980 state law that requires municipalities to obtain Town Meeting and voter approval to raise property taxes by more than 2.5 percent year over year. ‘

Requiring voter approval to raise taxes, does a better job of keeping spending in line. When you write that big check every year voters tend to be more concious of the tax then when they're paying a few dollars at checkout. Sales tax grows automatically with inflation. 10% on a $100 item today is $10, but when inflation drives the price up to $200, you're paying double the tax on the same item.

 

[cgw126 152]

13% HST(harmonized sales tax) in Ontario.

 

[jeffashman19 4]

Well, that was exciting! We had storms roll through yesterday evening... 90-100MPH winds. My metal fence posts have gone from slightly bent to very noticeably bent, so I guess it's time to replace the fence. Most trees survived, because they don't have leaves on them yet. The winds ripped the roof off of a meat market while patrons were inside shopping. Amazing, no injuries. Fun times.

 

[jeffashman19 4]

13% HST(harmonized sales tax) in Ontario.

See, I'm thinking this is what Texas will do if they get rid of the property tax... they'll bump up the sales tax to that level to offset the loss in property tax revenue. We don't have income tax here, so that is really the only option, a sales tax or even worse, a VAT.

 

[smoke665]

Well, that was exciting! We had storms roll through yesterday eve

Headed our way this morning, looks like we're right on the edge of the worst part.

We unfortunately do not have "Home Rule", a hold over from the Jim Crow days. Any tax increases on property, (state or local) have to be voted on by the legislature, then it goes on the ballot where everyone in the state votes on it. All other taxes (Sales, fees, etc), are subject only to the approval/whim of the legislature.

 

[jeffashman19 4]

Headed our way this morning, looks like we're right on the edge of the worst part.

We unfortunately do not have "Home Rule", a hold over from the Jim Crow days. Any tax increases on property, (state or local) have to be voted on by the legislature, then it goes on the ballot where everyone in the state votes on it. All other taxes (Sales, fees, etc), are subject only to the approval/whim of the legislature.

The State Legislature put a cap on property tax increases, so the Appraisal Districts went around the Legislature by aggressively increasing the value of the properties, thus getting their tax increases. This is one of the reasons why the property tax is now under threat of being repealed.

 

[cgw126 152]

Well, that was exciting! We had storms roll through yesterday evening... 90-100MPH winds. My metal fence posts have gone from slightly bent to very noticeably bent, so I guess it's time to replace the fence. Most trees survived, because they don't have leaves on them yet. The winds ripped the roof off of a meat market while patrons were inside shopping. Amazing, no injuries. Fun times.

That's what has us in the crosshairs beginning later today as it hits a southbound cold front. High winds and craploads of snow=blizzards! Totally prepped and kitted out to deal with it--thankfully. Ah, spring!

 

[terri44 15]

The State Legislature put a cap on property tax increases, so the Appraisal Districts went around the Legislature by aggressively increasing the value of the properties, thus getting their tax increases. This is one of the reasons why the property tax is now under threat of being repealed.

Whew! I wasn't aware of that going on, but then I quit paying attention to all that once we, and eventually other family members, moved away.

It always seems nice to be in a state with no state income tax, but it definitely puts the bulk of the burden on homeowners - or any property owners. We can expect to pay taxes to get roads and services we need, but a more equitable solution seems needed. We have flat rate 4.25% state taxes in Michigan. Property taxes are determined by municipality.

 

[terri44 15]

Well, that was exciting! We had storms roll through yesterday evening... 90-100MPH winds. My metal fence posts have gone from slightly bent to very noticeably bent, so I guess it's time to replace the fence. Most trees survived, because they don't have leaves on them yet. The winds ripped the roof off of a meat market while patrons were inside shopping. Amazing, no injuries. Fun times.

Holy crap! You didn't mention a power outage, so at least you escaped that. The winds across Texas can be brutal. Glad your trees survived!

We had an orange tree in our backyard in The Woodlands - Valencia, the best in the world. When a polar vortex came through it killed back about a third of the tree. We saved the baby, but he was smaller from the severe pruning.

 

[snowbear125 56]

Whew! I wasn't aware of that going on, but then I quit paying attention to all that once we, and eventually other family members, moved away.

It always seems nice to be in a state with no state income tax, but it definitely puts the bulk of the burden on homeowners - or any property owners. We can expect to pay taxes to get roads and services we need, but a more equitable solution seems needed. We have flat rate 4.25% state taxes in Michigan. Property taxes are determined by municipality.

Yeah - if they don't get their money one way, they get it another.

MD sales tax is 6%, and I'm not aware of any local sales taxes. I don't know %'s offhand but there are State and County "Piggyback" income taxes. I suspect the incorporated municipalities collect from the County. Not sure what property tax is, I'll find out this year when the house comes out of probate, but the Couny also has a cap limit which can only be repealed or exceded by ballot.

 

[jeffashman19 4]

Holy crap! You didn't mention a power outage, so at least you escaped that. The winds across Texas can be brutal. Glad your trees survived!

We had an orange tree in our backyard in The Woodlands - Valencia, the best in the world. When a polar vortex came through it killed back about a third of the tree. We saved the baby, but he was smaller from the severe pruning.

I was surprised there was no power outage, and my fish were relieved. Reminds me, I need to get an UPS for the aquarium equipment. I've seen high winds, but last night was a new level of crazy.

 

[snowbear125 56]

Well, that was exciting! We had storms roll through yesterday evening... 90-100MPH winds. My metal fence posts have gone from slightly bent to very noticeably bent, so I guess it's time to replace the fence. Most trees survived, because they don't have leaves on them yet. The winds ripped the roof off of a meat market while patrons were inside shopping. Amazing, no injuries. Fun times.

Wow, F1 winds. Glad you're OK, otherwise.

 

[smoke665]

Nasty storm with 80mph straight line winds headed our way.