Reader comments
Property tax notices — a shock in the mail

As usual our legislators had to put in thier disclaimer to show how minor the tax increse was. The real issue is the inflated valutation and the real taxation. Inflation in value is not under the control of legislators and is the reason we are suffering from the blight of taxation without representation. Taxes are still being raised but without legislative and representation. A very clever way of getting around the constitutional laws governing taxation. They aren't doing it but the state is still getting the increased taxes and funds. This is taxation without representation pure and simple. A grandfather property tax is due so people aren't forced out of their homes and on the streets. It got so bad in California that the law was changed to relfect this and help save homeowners from being forced off their land and in to poverty. Property values have trippled over the past two years and taxes have trippled right along with it, it's not a one year thing and is perpetually depressive to homeowners on fixed incomes in retirement that can't buy or replace their homes. The new tax increase and to make payments will far exceed their fixed income.

How many people are going to be forced out of their homes, by being overly taxed, before Utah wakes up? At seventy-four, we have reached that limit. Living in California, when Proposition 13 was passed, there were the expected crys, "We'll cut police & fire protection, etc." California survived &, if there were to be a similar law here, so would Utah. How can Utah expect to attract new business, when for every dollar paid two go for taxes? There must be someone with enough fortitude, knowledge, & determination, to start a petition to get such a proposition on a ballot. Wake up Utah...a tax revolt in in the offing.

If Utahns think this is a shocker, it will be nothing if the voucher referendum does not pass. With 150,000 children entering the public school system in the next ten years, the added tax burden will drive income tax and property tax up significantly, because we'll be paying $7,500 per child. The voucher bill gives us a good opportunity to give a great education to these children for much less.

Can you say Utah's bankrupt?

Tax increases in the face of a sagging housing market is uncalled for. This will exacerbate the economic problems. This in the face of taxing entities offering huge giveaways to commercial development. I think we need full disclosure (transparency as the democrats put it) of what is going on with all aspects of taxation at all levels. We may need a grassroots movement, the same as happened in California, to save property owners from excessive taxes. There needs to be some consolidation of city services, visa vie the counties to try and avoid excessive administration. The idea of all these school districts across the state also needs to be investigated. Why the need for tiny districts, with all the administration costs that goes along with it? We need some accountability and dialog. Where are the watchdogs? Don't tell me the teachers and everybody working in the public sector are underpaid...that is tired rhetoric. Come on people! Everybody else works 260 days a year or more, and teachers, for instance, 180 days. In the first place, you don't get into the teaching profession to make money....they known what the pay is going to be.

This was a REALLY well researched and written article. In fact, this is the kind of reporting that keeps me coming back to Deseret News. Well done.

IF you don't like what your mechanic does with your car, you go get another one. If you don't like what your accountant does with your money, you get another one.

This isn't "taxation without representation." If you (like me), don't like the increases, vote the incumbents out.

There are plenty of good people in this state who can keep a promise; it is time to give them the opportunity to prove they can.

I'd gladly pay more as long as it went directly to teacher raises and not through the district office first. I love what the legisalture did this year to ensure that the money went to teachers. Too many times when money is intended for teachers, it goes to some pet project of the district office. I'll pay more taxes if it can go straight to the local teachers that are doing a great job working with my kids.

Under Utah law an increase in actual dollars is considered a "tax increase" even though the tax as a percentage of assessed valuation never increases. So some of these tax increases are very understandable. What I don't get is why the percentage has to increase. The increase in property values should be enough for our local governments to live on. Having said all this however, I think property taxes on private residences are a terrible way of raising revenue. I'd much prefer a local income tax. Then at least a person could feel they actually owned their property. As is it we simply lease it from the government.

Rising tax costs are a result of the increase in property values! The real issue will be when all these houses start going in default because people are "House Poor" buying housing they can't afford and the market which drove up the market value also has a deflatiatory effect, will the property tax decrease as well, or will the government then stick it to us and refuse to lower the property value "Tax Base"! That will be the thing to see. The initial fact is, taxes going up with increased value is to be expected if the increase meets the value increase. This will be interesting for sure. I wonder myself if this will help put more houses on the market with realistic housing prices, I for sure am not going to buy a $139,000 home for $270,000-$300,000 that is totally insane in my opinion, BUYER BE WARE, Your house will NOT be worth what you pay for it in 2 years.

Does anyone actually know someone who was forced out of their home due to not being able to pay their taxes? I've never met anyone who has. I've never even seen an article that quotes someone who has. I'm just curious.

This does tick me off, but I look at my sister on the east coast who has a house similar to mine here in Utah and her property taxes are over ten thousand dollars a year.

please remember we are living the american dream if you don't like something than change it!!!
If we don't like someone in office take them out of thier place,if we don't like anything than change it
many historical people did it starts with one person.
Think about it !!!!!

Utah has finally done the LIBERAL thing !! Tax and spend. The shoe is now on the other foot.

Yes I do. Not here in Utah, but in Seattle. King County started pulling the same thing as Salt lake County is doing now. I knew of many retired people that had to sell their homes after a few years because the property taxes were increasing at a rate of $200 each year. after five years it started to add up. If you don't think it can happen here I hope you're happy when your parents have move in with you.

I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I was just curious. You hope I'm happy when my parents have to move in with me? My mother is dead and my dad has about a year, but, thanks for the sentiment. I couldn't pry him out of his house. I've tried. Did I offend you by asking a simple question? Where did the people go who lost their home? Where did they find a cheaper place to live?

In the state of Indiana there are measures afoot to end the property tax altogether! In the state house, 43 of 51 legislators are in favor; in the senate, 18 of 26. And more will come aboard until its final approval for a referendum in 2009. Even Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is "open to the movement to end this tax. This tax -- especially with never-ending increases is harmful to the economy. People will cut back on purchasing clothing, furniture, cars, appliances, etc., resulting in a drop in sales taxes and the firing of employees. People will also cut down on charitable giving. When will these assessors and their county governments finally wake up to realize that they cannot go on in this manner forever without seriously impacting the entire economy of a state? It's high time to stop this insanity! We need another PROP. 13!

It's time to put the fire to our legislature's feet. Fix this problem of ever-rising taxes or get them OUT and put people in that represent the people or have the people fix it with what they did in Calif.....Prop. 13. It's time to take the government beaureaucrats out of the formula of taxation, fees, etc. and who continuly seem to find endless ways of getting around laws to raise their revenues. Yes, "their" revenues. The first priority with all these funds seems to be to take care of their needs or entitlements first and then work in the public needs (ie. pension plans that pay 70% to 100% plus of their salaries when retired - which no private industry offers to its generall employees; $50K+ trucks and luxury government autos for many government workers available for their private use along with the gas from home to work; cellular phone plans that no one seems to monitor as to personal use and expense; and the list goes on) It's time all tax payers step up to make their voices heard and stop the insanity that government seems to think there's no end to what they have a right to.

It's time for a tea party. My family can just afford the home we purchased. It's modest, but in an growing area. We can't afford more in taxes. It just won't work in our budget. If I am not mistaken, in CA, once you buy a home, your taxes are based on that price, until you either re-fi or buy a new home. Then, the taxes are reasses on the new value of the home. That's why when folks re-build, they leave one wall standing, so it's a 're model'. It's a way around CA's taxes. Not a way around Utahs.

Who does Lyall think he's kidding? School vouchers will NOT decrease the amount of tax money required to educate children, it will only divert where some of it goes. The tax base will NOT decrease with vouchers. It is utter foolishness to believe that it will. Based on this (along with the other weaknesses in the referendum as it is currently written), vouchers are NOT good for anyone.

Cut all the comments! Do something about it ! Refuse to pay any illegal double taxation and re-elect George Washington. He had a special way of making the British understand the American point of view.

i think property taxes are our most fair tax. if you live in a huge house you pay more, etc. this article mentions the 45% exemption for homeowners, but businesses don't get this exemption, nor do the owners of a 2nd or 3rd home. i think this is a pretty fair tax.

and like the article mentions utah's property taxes are really low compared to the rest of the nation and our western neighbors. would we rather reduce property tax and increase sales tax (which is a regressive tax)? or income tax?