Idaho, Time for a Property Tax Revolution

It would be sorta fun to gather up all the pitchforks, machette's and hoes (garden hoes, not the "other" kinda hoe) and deliver them to the folks standing in the two block line surrounding the assessors office today.

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Iraq casualties
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Well maybe ole blu3duk is radically pasionate [not emotional] about somethings and since blu3duk and his family are endangered species [native idahoan even though his wife grew up in kalifornia in a mill town she came back to spawn!!!] he gets to spout off about such things once in awhile and stir up the hackles on socialists and feministas..... [if i cant stand the heat what the heck am i wearing all this body armour for?]

I will say i did wite my first response in a psuedo tongue in cheek format with the intent of making sheeple think, and maybe laff and maybe get mad enough to research some things on their own and not just take somebody's typed written rant as "gospel".... my wife is a wonderful woman, and most of the time thinks along the same lines as myself [which is scary even to me] so i get to rib her [and her sisters in league] about being emotional and not thinking some things thru [btw the levy passed by 2 votes in this school district this week which will raise taxes by about $50.00 per year extra per $100K assessment but that isnt the point so her canceling out my vote didnt matter anyway with the 50% plus one rule in effect here to pass].

What most people do not understand is, yes land prices have been under valued to those of other areas of the country, but in respect so has the rest of the local economies, with very few exceptions. I can only charge so much for my sawmill cutting lumber until the timber owner says screw it i can sell the logs or buy from the lumber yard cheaper, yet my expenses continually rise from these same people moving in and demanding better services than are presently here. The mental evironists have virtually shut down the public lands which in this area are supposed to be a big draw into the area..... cant travel down certain roads cause the Forest Circus socialists have closed them to save from over use.... cant camp here or there for more than 2 weeks without moving the campsite for an additional 2 weeks at least a few miles.... cant mine the gold and silver from the streams cause you might disturb the view for someone who might never see it that way cause next year the high water will wash it away or change the view anyway.... but a person cant do it cause a person isnt natural i guess.... the rising rice of fuel has made many ranchers give up their cattle this year, cannot afford the gas to go check the high mountain pastures that have traditionally been affordable enough to run cattle in this area.... the cost of fuel and fertilizer is about to run many farmers out of the business altogether, yet people flock in to this area and demand more taxes be levied against the owners of property to pay for those services which in turn help get those people out of business altogehter..... putting more land up as available to subdivide and allow more idiots to move here and the land no longer grows food to support those idiots....

The problem with taxes and assesments in Idaho is that it is no matter who does the assessment it is unfair to the land holder [the owner being the state unless you have no-taxed patented title which are nearly non-existant in Idaho] another problem is that people just "pay" the taxes and never demand accountablity for what they have been extorted, depending upon those elected to get the best deal for the people which almost never happens.

And last but not least blu3duk has been wrong a couple of times..... and makes apologies to any he has offended.

William

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Upon the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions, who when on the dawn of victory paused to rest, and there resting died.
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I'll tell you what the problem is, we all pay more and more taxes up here in north idaho and those in the lower counties get all the benifits.

I laughed at that blaming it on Californians!

We have Prop. 13.

They value your property at selling or at major improvements time.

Other than that,a max of 2% per year.

Keeps retired folks from being taxed out of their property.

I dont care what the neighbors property sold for,or what someone else willingly paid.I didnt move,Im here,keep your greedy tax grubbin' hands off my wallet.

I dont see any increase in value until I sell,simple as that.

BooBoo

As BooBoo said this is exactly why CA property owners voted on Prop 13. Property values were increasing significantly in the mid 70’s. People were on the verge of loosing their homes. This saved many elderly. To this day everything bad is blamed on Prop 13, especially education. What it did do is save the real estate market. Every year you know what your taxes are going to be. Yes its true two identical houses next to each other can have quite a difference in property taxes, but if you choose to stay put and not move than you haven’t realized the profit anyway. Other states should review our Prop 13. It’s basic and simple.

I live in north central Idaho and my taxes are going up about $51 a year this year.

We have a 1000 sq. ft., 2 bd, 1 ba house on 2.42 acres, with a shed and greenhouse.

I wasn't too disappointed by that.

I know someone who has a weekend cabin in the same county and his assessed value (I think) went up 67%.

Yep, we got our revaluation notice this week as well. Went up another 105K, after going up 90K last year. They do yearly valuations now, so probably another 100K next year.

As far as a tax revolt, not going to happen, at least around here. The majority of the people have "pass-through" property taxes. Their property tax is buried in their mortgage payment (which is usually direct withdrawl), and they rarely notice it. Unlike those of us who have to write a rent check to the man every year.

The only thing that might come close to starting a revolt is if you could interrupt the latte supply from all the various latte stands around here. I guarantee people would be moved to decisive action if they could not get their lattes for a week.

Wayne

Remind me again why we want to own land?

Kenneth

I agree 100% never will happen tho it should.
I paid x $ for it and that is what it should be taxed at till I sell and joe blow pays x dollars.
My land is not for sale every year tho they seem to do it every year, so they can raise their salaries and benefits.Heck here they even have a bonus for showing up on th ejob every day you get x amount of $$. How asinine is that?
They have salaries in the 100 k range for a town of 70k people.
Why ? I been told that it is because they can.
They base wages on towns in other parts of the state that pay more, but do not take into effect that it actually costs more to live there in rent and housing.
We lost it and i see know way to stop it.

So, just to take this a bit further ...

According to your model of appropriate criteria for taxation. Since I have the skills, education, and experience to command a salary that is four times greater then what I earn now, then I should be taxed at that increased rate value, despite the fact that it does not reflect my actual earnings.

Now I choose to earn my current salary for various reasons relating to my family's needs. But since I have turned down job offers for the higher salary level, and that other people who hold similar certifications, degrees, and experience make four times what I make I should pay income tax based upon the potential value of my worth in the open market?

Seems pretty silly when you put it that way.

Nikki

I assume you have an ag exemption? Roll back taxes will be painful for the developer, if you ever sell.

Ad valorem means "according to value". It's the system we're stuck with.

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Society has gotten to the point where everybody has a right, but nobody has a responsibility.

It'll have company soon with the big new Panhandle Bank headquarters going in. Folks can jump off it next year.

apples and oranges

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Lisa,

How much is the Timber exemption saving you? I have been putting together a forest stewardship plan. I guess I need to turn the gain up on it, but would appreciate any insight on how much it is helping you save in light of this latest assessment.

Thanks,.
HD

We have 33.5 acres consisting of three parcels. We own the full residential subdivision. If our 10.5 acre parcel was assessed at full value it would have an assessed value of $185,000 however with the timber exemption, it is assessed at $1350. Our assessed values went down this year due to timber and ag exemptions even though our 1 acre rural homesite was assessed at $510,000 and our improvements to same were assessed at $210,000

Steve
Yes, I have ag exemptions. I pay attention to the proposed tax statements each year, and have protested some valuations, some with success, some not... The successful one saved me 700$ a year...

Apparently they're lower across the board this year...I don't know whether the special session on property taxes did it? or they were getting lowered anyway... not complaining...

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Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. W. Edwards Deming

Once again, I disagree. My home is being taxed based upon it's supposed value should I choose to sell it today on the open market. I haven't sold. Don't have any plans to sell it, but I am taxed at a rate determined by that theoretical sale.

Then, how is it any different then taxing someone's income based upon the "value" of their skills and services if they were to be offered on the open market. Regarless of whether or not such an offer was made in actuality.

Please reealize, I am not trying to be snide here, I just honestly don't see where the second situation is any different then the first. Therefore making the first situation (property taxes and their method of valuation) anything but preposturous.

I am definately open to being enlightened.

Nikki

Good point.

Is your 1 acre homesite considered one of the 3 parcels? Is the $210K included in the $510K or is the $510K just for the 1 acre of land for a total assessment of $720K? Even with the insane assessments the county just sent out $510K seems real high for just an acre unless you are considered waterfront.

I am glad to hear your overall assessments went down. You are definitely in the minority.

HD

All three of our parcels are waterfront. It also includes the house, barn and several outbuildings we've built.