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Tax bite taking heavy toll in Utah

How about Provo School District? Didn't they actually LOWER the tax rate?

One thing this study failed to take in to account is the inflated values of homes across Utah. That is values established by fraudlent lending and fraudlent inflated appraisals on the real estate for borrowers to be able to buy these homes. This in turn has created a false valuation by all Counties on properties. Then the Salt Lake county used some creative taxing by devaluing some homes and trippling the value of the land to offset the loss in total home values by the collapse. Thus they keep the property taxes at an inflated overall value. Utah must adopt a grandfather taxing system on residential properties on valuations at time of purchase and through the life of ownership of such property. This would end taxation by fraudulent assesors. Then where all taxes paid in all counties end up in the general tax funds of the state, taxes for education and state services should be equal state wide. Instead of education taxing by county, it should be equal throughout the state and then let each scool district fight with the state for their shares. This would end the disparity between schools location and quality of education throughout the state.

It goes to show that the Republican stranglehold in Utah has a price to pay. High Taxes!!! After all its a Republican state! They need CHANGE!!!!!!

I saw my property taxes go up enough this year that I may have to sell my house.

While I can certainly understand that the cost of basic services has increased, perhaps each level of government needs to now look at differentiating between "wants and needs". Just like us citizens, we are now forced to do away with many things that we once felt were "necessary". There's only so much we the consumer can bear. It's time to tighten the belt - let's get back to providing "basic necessary services" only.

Local governments have historically abused their citizens. They only raise property taxes when artificial values are high, then when values drop, they make no adjustment. These people need to be held accountable. This is not right. Property taxes need to be rolled back to the pre-boom levels.

As a self employed businessman I am amazed at the waste in Government. The only solution seems to raise tax. Let's start with getting rid of government employee benefits. I've never been on the golf course and not seen gov. employees using sick days to golf, or they will lose them. Why do I have to pay their health benefits I don't get them. The only solution is to tax me and you more. Get a pencil with a big eraser and start cutting. Begin with the benefits package and don't stop there.

Tax increases in a shrinking economy?.....time to rid ourselves of all politicans who propose a tax increase.....we need reports of those who actually propose legislation tax increases and the names of those who vote for them....then lets throw them out......Utah has long had a large state infrastructure that needs to be go....turn these dept's over to the private sector, one that has to run on a profit or loss....not on a fail safe govt budget! Huntsman is a liberal like McCain and until Utah wises up...he will continue to increase our taxes...

just does it the old fashioned way, by overvaluing your home.

It amazes me that Republicans can get by with saying they are for low taxes and less government when every time they are in charge of the government we get big government and higher taxes. I wonder, has there ever been a case where they actually do what they say.

This must be more smear from the MSM. No way our taxes could have gone up, we elected republicans. They would never raise taxes.

On the other hand, a Utah Mother and Father making around $60,000 with three tax deductible kids pays little or no federal income tax because of tax deducts and credits. Much better than in my days of raising a family. Thus, lots of govt services are free to them.

Cedar City will be increasing property taxes to pay for a lavish new rec center complete with "lazy river", waterslides, a day care center, aerobics classes and eventually indoor running tracks and basketball courts with the threat the children will all turn into gang members without a $30 million dollar plus monster taxpayer financed rec center. And people in this state like to say they're conservative...hogwash!!!

Republican, Democrat, what difference does it make, fool!! We the people continue to want more and more "freebies" from our government and the govt employees want more money so that they can "take care" of us. It doesn't make any difference which party, we are getting exactly what we are voting for......enjoy.

And the public just approved themselves and tax hike for the Zoo go figure that. Complain about taxes and then vote to raise your own taxes!!!!

Funny,

I've seen my property tax ( my permanent government lien on my property....SICK)actually stay about the same as it was the year previous. I noticed that they devalued the worth of my house while raising the value of my land. Funny how that works....maybe its time we got the socialists out of government and put some real government back in. Maybe the Liberterians or the Constitutionalists? They actually believe in lower taxes, unlike the other two parties. Lets see the republicans promise lower taxes and give us higher taxes. The democrats ussualy promise us lower taxes ( if they promise at all) and give us higher taxes. Maybe its time to get away from the two main parties and give the other parties a chance to change the USA. One more point for all....how can we expect the USA to change if we elect the same parties time and time again?

Complain all you want but the people just ask for a tax increase by voting for the Zoo bond. People just ask for more taxes!!!

A tax system that is grandfathered in at the time of purchase is completely unfair. I live in Florida where there is such a system. Some homes are $300 a year and others are $3,000 a year for identical homes in the same areas. Not a good idea- especially for the newcomers or those wishing to upgrade or downgrade their homes.

My property taxes were assessed at a value that increased more than 200k in a single year, while the market value of my home actually dropped in value 2008 vs 2007.

Bob G -- unfortunately, you are mistaken when it comes to how property taxes work in Utah. After a public hearing, a City or County gets approval for the total revenue they are going to raise off of the tax base existing at the time of the hearing. Thus, if property values go down, then rates go up. If property values go up, then rates go down. The only way total tax revenue can go up is by new building or improvments or by voting to increase taxes. How the assessor assesses your property does not impact the total tax revenue received.