Why Are Your Property Taxes So Darn High?
While the majority of people pay the most attention to the taxes they see regularly, i.e. income and sales tax, there are other taxes that cost you a lot of money that you may tend to forget about. One of those taxes that cost a lot, but that kind of goes unnoticed is property tax. In fact, depending on where you live and how much property you own, your property taxes can be huge. For some people, like residents of New Jersey for example, property taxes seem extreme.
A 2014 study by Monmouth University found that 26 percent of New Jersey residents said that they were “very likely” to move to a different state, with the most common reason being the high price of housing and property taxes – with property taxes being the main culprit. Residents of Connecticut and New York are also often on the list of highest property taxes. Why is that some locations have much higher property taxes than others?
There are several reasons that property taxes vary from state to state and city to city. Here are just a few of the main causes:
- State employees make a lot of money – if your state pays its workers well, like New Jersey does, then chances are your property taxes are higher in order to help foot that bill.
- Not Much Tourism – if your state lacks a lot of out-of-town visitors then property taxes could be higher to make up for lost revenue.
- Good schools – in order to have the best schools you have to pay for the best teachers and education services. The funds for those expenses often come from property taxes.
- Valuable property – no matter where you live, if you have a valuable home then you will almost assuredly pay more in property taxes. That’s because your property tax is based on the assessed value of your home times the local tax rate. A higher value home equals higher property taxes.
There are other possible reasons for high property taxes, but these are some of the most common. If you want to avoid outrageous property taxes, then your best bet is to simply move to a state where property taxes are lower.
Overconfidence Steps Up
Overconfidence Steps Up Overconfidence is irritating to the onlooker. In a public place, we resent those exhibiting this trait. We think them as arrogant and pushy. We see a man disrespect others in his wake and we loath him. “How could he be so inconsiderate?” And we avoid being tossed by the waves of his…
Try These Smart Tax Saving Moves Before the Year Ends
Try These Smart Tax Saving Moves Before the Year Ends It’s really the middle of November already. Thanksgiving is just a few days away and Christmas is soon to follow. People are grateful for many things at this time of year, but one of them isn’t taxes. Of course, the real tax season doesn’t begin…
Where Do Californians Stand On Taxes?
Where Do Californians Stand On Taxes? California’s high ranking on the tax meter is well documented. The state is among the highest in the nation for both income taxes and business taxes. It ranks high in several other tax categories as well, including sales tax, property tax and even the gas tax. The Golden State…
Why Do California’s Tax Problems Continue?
Why Do California’s Tax Problems Continue? It’s the classic adage made famous from the movie Robin Hood: “Rob from the rich and give to the poor.” Although Robin Hood may have meant well and his actions noble, the idea of taking more from the rich to give to the poor is not always wise when…