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Highlands Today

State Appraisers' Universal Tax Idea Is Interesting

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Highlands Today Staff

Published: October 9, 2007

Now that the Florida Legislature's much-touted property tax relief proposal is in limbo, it is time to take stock and consider alternatives.

A proposal created by the state's county property appraisers, which advocates a universal tax break for all property owners , sounds practical and something that could be considered in part if a new plan is ever created.

But for this and some other proposals to survive, the Legislature and the voters have to ask themselves a tough question: Is saving Save Our Homes Amendment worth the price it has extracted?

While million-dollar homes protected under Save Our homes for some time are paying next to nothing in property taxes, working families can't afford to buy properties because of the high taxes. Small business owners are reeling under property tax increases, coupled with home insurance premiums, and winter residents –– who support our economy here in a big way –– have vowed to abandon Florida.

Sure, permanent residents of a state should get some kind of a tax break. Florida does not have state income tax. That helps those who call Florida home. Many states offer a $25,000 exemption for homestead properties. That is good relief for permanent residents. We in Florida have that, and it's good. But any other breaks beyond that, except for seniors and those with disabilities, is a giveaway that has created inequities in the property tax law here, not to mention the turmoil.

Highlands County Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre unveiled the plan Monday that the state's property appraisers have put together. Their ideas carry credence as they are understandably the experts in the field and deal with this issue on a daily basis.

The appraisers' proposals call for a five percent per year reduction in assessed value on all properties for five years. McIntyre calls it simple, straightforward, and one that "allows everyone some relief."

Perhaps, our legislators should take heed to it.

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