Property Tax

Property tax is a tax levied on (real estate) and, in some cases, on personal property or business property.

In the U.S. it is typically the main source of revenue for local government, especially for schools.

Unlike most debts, which are personal in nature, property tax debts "run with the land"; thus, if a person buys a piece of property and then later learns that the taxes weren't paid, the new owner is now legally liable for their payment even if the new owner has no recourse against the old owner.

High property taxes have the effect of depressing property values and ironically lowering tax revenues. There are two effects of this tax since the tax is levied both on the land value and the building value. The effect of the tax on land has the effect of lowering land cost, since it discourages land speculation, thus benefiting buyers and thereby making housing more affordable. The effect of the tax on the buildings has the effect of increasing costs and discouraging construction and job creation.

If property taxes are not paid, states have two means to collect:

• One method (the tax deed auction) has the jurisdiction selling the property itself at public auction to the highest bidder, with a minimum price of taxes owed, interest/penalty, plus costs of sale. The prior owner may or may not have the right to reclaim the property within a certain time, and if so may pay a steep penalty on top^[1].
• Another method (the tax lien auction) has the jurisdiction selling, at public auction, a lien on the property (at a high interest rate^[2]); if the lien is not redeemed within a certain time, either the property is then sold or the lienholder can foreclose on it and take possession^[3].

States with lowest property taxes (per capita, annually)[edit]

^[4][5]

• Alabama $210
• New Mexico $283
• Kentucky $286
• Arkansas $321
• Louisiana $324

Rates vary across the states, between about 0.2% and 4% of the home value.^[6]

States with highest property taxes (per capita, annually)[edit]

Not surprisingly, these high property tax states are part of the welfare state-nanny state-police state mentality of leftism:

• New Jersey $1,591
• New Hampshire $1,555
• Connecticut $1,500
• New York $1,329
• Rhode Island $1,233

Source: The Tax Foundation, based on Commerce Department and Census statistics.

References[edit]