Property tax ... a question

Jon-Marcus · Post by **Jon-Marcus** » 02-07-2010 05:54 AM

I guess Racehorse would be the best person to ask, but I'll ask and anyone with a good answer ... go for it.

Let's say you buy an acre of land. You've paid it off in full and you didn't, and don't plan to sell it. Yet every year you still have to pay taxes on it.

Why is that?
I didn't have to pay taxes but once on my gun or my favorite jeans.

Ok, I may have asked that question before, but at the moment I've just downed a bottle of wine in celebration of my birthday (2-6-62).
Heh! Two years now the forum managed to not mention it. ( that's not a complaint, Lady L.

I'm just a bit ... tipsy.

Biker · Post by **Biker** » 02-07-2010 06:30 AM

Happy Birthday, Jon. If your Saints win, that would be a helluva present, eh?

Oh, and Jon? You've been on the FF for five years, not two. How's that wine.

Biker and IronsGold

:D

Swerdloc · Post by **Swerdloc** » 02-07-2010 06:39 AM

Happy Birthday, J-M! We used to have a way to remind pirates about birthdays, and maybe we could revive it. It might help in restoring a sense of community.

As to property tax--you're right, racehorse would be best qualified to answer, but I think historically that's one of the oldest types of taxes around (a tax on land or real property), and generally it's a primary way for local governments to raise revenue (such as for schools).

SquidInk · Post by **SquidInk** » 02-07-2010 10:40 AM

The tax is paid because continuous government sponsored infrastructure is required to define, and protect the land (in our system).

The more property one acquires, land or otherwise, the more dependent on government that person becomes. As an example, Jon, the "ownership" of an acre of land makes a person much more likely to find themselves in need of the court system to settle a contract dispute, as well as fire and police protection to secure assets etc. So, you pay tax.

Happy birthday...

racehorse · Post by **racehorse** » 02-07-2010 12:13 PM

Hi Jon-Marcus.

I hope your Birthday was a fantastic one.

Swerdloc is right that historically property tax is one of the oldest in existence. It long predates income and sales taxes and is used primarily in this country by local governments to fund needed services. It probably enjoys much greater political support than other taxes as well, for example, income taxes are extremely unpopular with large segments of the population. I do not see property taxes ever disappearing in the United States.

badspell · Post by **badspell** » 02-07-2010 06:31 PM

Happy Birthday Jon-Marcus. I will tip a few In celebration.

Jon-Marcus · Post by **Jon-Marcus** » 02-08-2010 12:57 AM

Well now that I'm not tipsy, and off work...
Thanks for the answers. And thanks for the birthday wishes.
And yeah, Biker, the wine was good. Cheep but good.

And thank you Saints for the B-day present!

Cheers, Badspell.