A New York barn

[JohnMiller3]

Very inconsistent... tax assessments in New York...

One of my best buddies, built his home about 2 years ago... I believe about 5200 sq.ft.... and they told him they were doing him a favor by "under assessing" him... his taxes are over $9K annually... about 20 miles from me, rural area... /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

"You are what you eat, drink, think, say and do..."

 

[ronjhall]

Rich
JM3 will not have to move to get lower taxes. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Now that the whole Internet knows you are not paying enough taxes. It won't be long before some politicians in Albany will pass a law to correct this inconsistency. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[DaveM]

OK, I got into this thread because I think NY taxes are ridiculously high. It's no wonder to me that NY was pretty much left behind during the 90's economic boom. Businesses were packing up and moving south in droves largely due to high taxes.

I also resent that that my share of school taxes is exactly the same as a family with X # kids when I never had, have or will have any children taking advantage of the school system/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

Sorry for the vent... but I feel a little better now/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Dave

 

[Knight9]

<font color=blue>I also resent that that my share of school taxes is exactly the same as a family with X # kids when I never had, have or will have any children taking advantage of the school system</font color=blue>

Certainly a popular view I know. Goes along with the view that Seniors shouldn't have to pay school tax anymore. From my perspective, and many others, I prefer to see it as the fact that all of society benefits from the education of the kids. Seems like since we all benefit from it, probably not a bad thing to contribute to it. And trust me, your buddy is paying a lot more for his kids going to school!!! The same taxes sure, but ask him how many extra school fees, field trip fees, supply fees etc he pays.

Kevin

 

[DocHeb]

Dave,

Taxes fit into the common-good category, much in the same way I:

Pay for health insurance - but I'm not currently ill
Pay for auto insurance - but haven't had any claims
Pay for the military - even though my hometown is not invaded
Pay for Social Security - but I'm under under 65
Pay for new road building - but I never take that route
Pay for the EPA to protect the environment - but the industry is NIMBY
Pay for schools to make my community attractive and maintain my property values - but I don't have any kids

Taxes are like insurance, they spread risk across a large population, accomplishing things that could not be done by smaller groups.

I'm just glad the government isn't too efficient. From the amount of taxes I pay, they could hire a personal civil servant to tail me 24 hours a day making sure I'm doing everything right!

Note - What follows is the obligatory thread-relevant statement: Sorry, but I don't have any pretty barn pictures yet - just bought the camera yesterday.

 

[DaveM]

Hi Kevin,

It's always good to hear from you!

I believe there's much merit in the idea that society benefits from a good education and I don't have a problem with my tax money supporting it. But I feel the current situation is not equitable at all concerning senior citizens and tax payers w/o children. They should not pay the same % as people with kids, IMO. Clearly, people with children gain a far greater direct benefit than people w/o kids. Also, while people with children certainly have more expenses than people w/o, lets not forget that having children is a conscious decision made by those people... or at least I hope so.

Then there's renters, probably 6 million in the NYC metro area alone, that pay no property or school taxes. Just doesn't seem fair to me /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif.

BTW, politically I'm a left leaning moderate... really /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

Dave

 

[EldoNixon]

Well I agree upstate NY s beautiful. I just returned after 5 years in the Big Easy (as in New Orleans). Taxes are another thing though. I live in Saratoga county across the river from Washington county and my taxes are $6500.00. Granted I do have a bed and breakfast (aprox. 4,500 sq. feet) plus 2 bedroom carriage house and barn on 4 acres, but still way too much. Luckily we're surrounded by thousands of acres of farm land. The area is actually called Bacon Hill. I haven't got my web site up, but I'd love to house some TBN'rs. Help me pay these taxes.

 

[DaveM]

Yeah, this thread has taken a major turn from where it started and I'm somewhat embarrassed that I've helped move it that way. I'm really not confrontational or particulary political. But NY taxes are so much higher than most places in this country and I'm not seeing or feeling that we (New Yorkers) are getting our money's worth. And I guess the school taxes just send me over the edge...

All that said, I still really like living here. It's so beautiful and peaceful. And I hope to build a 2-3 car garage someday and I'll post photos here too!

Dave

 

[Knight9]

Hi Dave,

I certainly don't want to sidetrack onto a "taxes" discussion either /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Suffice it to say that I'm sure we all agree on one thing....regardless of where we live (Canada, US etc) we all believe we are overtaxed and most of us probably disagree with where much of our tax dollars are spent /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif!!!

I'll look forward to seeing your photos down the road. I'm hoping to get a new computer and digital camera through my company in the new year. I'll be sure to post!!!

Kevin

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...The area is actually called Bacon Hill...</font color=blue>

Richie and I just went to an auction in Bacon Hill about a month ago... another one is coming up in the spring...

Hey, I won't need the bed, but I'll consider the breakfast.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif