Here's a letter from our county Judge. This is exactly why values are going through the roof. The Texas state officials are pulling a fast one on taxpayers and have been for some time.

We shouldn’t be paying a dime on property taxes, at all.

Death and taxes. Prefer state income tax?

It would be fine with me, leave my property alone

A state income tax is much better than a property tax.

I would agree

Ignorant question not argumentative. Are there states that have a state income tax and do not have a property tax? I've been under the impression from talking with folks that everyone still has property tax regardless of state income tax, however it may be a percentage point less than ours here in TX.

I fight my property tax rates any time they go up. Even with the hassle, it is still a much better option than state income tax in my opinion.

I'd prefer a higher sales tax and no state income or property taxes. Then everyone pays.

Which states don’t have sales tax? After a hunt in Idaho years ago, we went across the border to Oregon and bought a 100 qt cooler. There was no sales tax in Oregon.

Do you "win" every time you fight your CAD? If so, how do you fare? Just curious...

The property value study is a measure of how accurately the appraisal district is valuing your property. The State is not trying to jump the value necessarily they are trying to make sure the appraisal district is keeping up with current valuation.

People fight the proper value all the time and then sell the house/land etc. for more than the appraisal district has it valued at. You want to reduce taxes that is why people fight to lower value. The value is somewhat irrelevant. IF values fall through the floor the govt. will raise the rates. If you want to see property taxes go down you need to change govt. spending. Vote down school bonds, do not allow fancy football stadiums, keep cities from buying flooded properties and turnign them into parks, put a huge system of checks and balances on any govt. projects that are heavily publicized and scrutinized.

The nature of my work is dealing with municipalities local govt. txdot etc. The average joe would be F-ing outraged if they knew how much money was spent/wasted.

100% agree with you redchevy! The overspending is out of control.

The letter in the original post shows a difference of $8 million and change for the entire county. I know of ONE school site in ONE local county that the district could have saved over $8 million just on the school site itself. People don't know. If you call the school district they wont tell you anything and wont call you back. Carp like this needs to be on the damn news and it would quit happening. Heads are going to have to roll to ever see a change, the people in power/leadership now need to change. The money is taken from the public and largely spent with zero input or knowledge of the taxpayer. It needs to be reigned in.

Duh.

These tax threads crack me up.

A man can sleep well at night when he accepts he lacks the ability to change things he cannot control and that trying to control things out of his control is futile.

Real estate taxes are pay-to-play as most of that money stays local. Just plan on 2-3% of your real estate's value to be paid for the privilege of living within the kingdom.

A state income tax is a terrible idea. Increasing sales taxes is a better avenue. Make all the anti-tax folks put their money where their mouth is. You don't want to pay taxes, fine - quit buying sh!t.

See?

Texas Homestead Needs to increase, it's out dated. It's $25,000 which was ok back when you could find a starter home for 100K.

You are looking at $300K now of days for a starter home in the D/FW area, The Texas Legislature needs to increase exemption amount to $75K or just do a 20% per 100K exemption on per each person.

Everyone pays for property tax, even if you rent. Property owners that rent out their property, recover property tax expense in the form of higher rent, as well as all their other rental expenses. The only way to lower your property tax is down size the value of the dwelling you live in.

I think more about how buying behavior would change, based on changes in taxes. If you took away property tax and increased sales tax instead, people would spend more on real estate (live in bigger house) and they would spend less on other goods with sales tax.

Our valuation went up $40k last year and an additional $20k this year. It's utterly ridiculous.

I'd prefer no taxes at all.

Go find you a third world country to live in then.

Taxes don't create a civilized society lol. Government is corrupt and abuses its power maliciously at the people's expense.

Land is expensive in 3rd world countries as well, My relative last week in Philippines near Davao City purchased 1 hectare, a little more than 2 acres and paid $70K. Will put up a hollow block (Cinder Block) Fence and driveway and that will run another $30K USD. Then will have to build a house is gonna run $100K.

Remember when our state reps and governor "capped" property tax RATES? Raising property values was the plan all along to provide more funding. If you're good with that so be it.

Look where the largest portion of taxes go.... Schools. Rip off from the word go! Most Public Schools are turning out unprepared, soon to be Citizens on the large point, Teaching to the Test. . Mine are capped. Old Folks. Guess they still need that $4,000 grand a year (just the school tax BS) from us, for the "Little Children". Guess you educators/teachers think different.