Deseret News | The highs and lows of Utah taxes

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The highs and lows of Utah taxes

Illegal taxation! | 4:16 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

This is more evidence of illegal and unconstitutional taxation. Property values are being used for one purpose, to raise and add new taxes without representation.

Only the legislators of Utah have the authority to regulate taxation, not county assessors or school districts. Taxation can only be imposed by the elected legislators of the state under the state and US constitution.

Why are the legislators not doing something about this illegal taxation? Many counties and school districts have publicly proclaimed they are adjusting property values for the sole purpose of adjusting taxes and this is grossly illegal. It is in complete violation or our rights to have representation in regulating taxes.

We have to call our representatives in to action and stop this unfair and illegal taxing process by counties and education.

Tricks, Tricks, Tricks! | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I live in Washington county, and to be more definite Hurricane. What our tax notice shows is that these crooked self serving political leaders in this end of the state are at it again. Our taxes are the same as last year almost to the penney. But guess what the property value went down quite a bit, so where does that leave us? Well quite frankly right where these leaders want us, when the property values go back up and they will guess how much more we will pay on our properties then versus what we did before at the same value? This is just sickening to be screwed over by these so called leaders with their deciet!

Anonymous | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

It is because our legislators don't have a backbone. They know taxes need to be raised but they don't want to appear to be non-republican and raise them.

So they put the burden of raising taxes on the local school boards.

Wimps!

Stand up and be men!

Comments continue below

UNLV | 9:28 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

If you don't like it, move out of the country. Or just move to Las Vegas, My property taxes are $8,000 a year. Stop your whining. Utah is cheap.

to UNLV | 9:53 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

You must have a huge property! My taxes were only $2000 las year for a decent size/neighborhood house. But I don't have to pay state or food tax which is a bonus.

Ridiculous Analogy | 10:11 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Your house is burning and their answer is "well it is not burning any worse than it was when the fire started..in fact the fire may not be burning quite as hot as it was before".

Gee now I feel better...oh wait...too much fire is too much fire and it is going to STILL RUIN my home.

Duh.

Same with the taxes...if they are too high then lower them you nitwits in Blanding.

jackhp | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

As usual, any discussion about property taxes brings out the loonies who have no idea what they are talking about or how property taxes are determined in Utah.

Google "Utah truth in taxation" to find out why the first two commenters are up in the night.

what in tucket? | 10:53 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

You want a strong economy? Lower taxes and reduce government spending. We need a powerful economy with a huge surplus to pay for Social Security and Medicare. They are going to be in the red for trillions. Local government must restrain themselves. You don't have the money lower your budget.

UNLV | 12:25 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

That's because you pay taxes under the "grandfather" property tax act and they can't raise your rates more than 3% a year. Go buy a new house and then you can pay your fair share along with me.

Anonymous | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Utah should serve to dispel the lie that republican tax less.

Stupid comparison | 1:07 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

The article author apparently never heard that the three biggest issues in property valuation are location, location and location. I'm sure that $250,000 probably gets you a lot more house in Blanding than in Rich or Summit County. The labor costs to run a school district might be a little lower in San Juan County, but school buses, textbooks and supplies are going to cost the same as anywhere else. There are plenty of nuts trying to get some sort of tax protest going over property taxes. What they fail to recognize is the councils and boards for the cities, counties and school boards are all elected. This truly is "taxation with representation", which is what the Revolution of 1776 was all about. The most vociferous opponents of the property tax are probably "income tax cheats" who are just upset at their inability to cheat the property tax system as well.

bluecollar | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

the thing to remember is what services do you have available?
would it cost more to hire a private fire protection service, or pay taxes?
could you send all your children and the children of your close relatives friends and everyone you care about to private school? or is it better to pay taxes for public school?
can you afford a private security service? or is it more affordable to pay taxes for police or sheriff?
do you have water and sewer service? or can you build your own?
what about your roads? do you have your own snow plow with salt spreader?
do you know anyone that's disabled or elderly and cannot care for themselves? can you handle it or do you need the county to provide services?
i'm sure there's a lot more but you get the picture.
most people are not that self sufficient, and so we pay taxes so that collectively we can afford a comfortable, safe lifestyle.
what we do is man up. pay our fair share.

Illinois here | 8:43 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

My home in Kane County Illinois, 20 miles west of O'Hare is valued at $125K.
I paid $4,400 last year.
My mother-in-law is in Murray. The home is valued at $160K. She was billed $850, and paid $95 due to the Circuit Breaker program.
Not only did they drop the value without an assessment fight, but the rate is a fourth of what I pay.
Count your blessings.
By the way, Democrats rule Illinois.

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