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Frank Macomber's avatar

Great read! Those involved passing this bill, should be voted out. The citizens of this state should be tired of the broken promises, told whatever during campaigning only to see the rug pull after an election. Everyone will suffer even those who rent properties from landlords who will pass their increases on to the tenants. After all what landlord will eat this increase? Trickle down, pass it on to those that are struggling as it is.

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Andrew McNeil's avatar

You are right. This hurts everyone. Thank you for reading!

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Doug Kildsig's avatar

I appreciate the article, Andrew. Can you provide detailed insight into what changed in how property taxation is to be applied to real property owners in the state of Indiana? Thanks!

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Andrew McNeil's avatar

Thanks for reading Doug! Looking into property taxes is intentionally murky I think. Assessments have gone way up indicating much larger tax bills to come(likely). The state legislature passed a law to give a tax cut but it allowed local income taxes to be raised to offset and only capped property taxes based on assessed values. It’s a mess with the only thing clear is that we will end up paying more in taxes.

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Doug Kildsig's avatar

You are welcome, Andrew. Do you have an organization or an individual, article that details what has changed with property tax administration in Indiana?

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Andrew McNeil's avatar

I’m sure there are some but I would not be a good source for that. I wasn’t referring to any statute change other than the Property Tax reform bill just signed into law.

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Doug Kildsig's avatar

Thanks, Andrew. I appreciate your article, and it gave me pause to consider investigating what is shifting and changing in how property tax is administered in the state of Indiana. I believe Micah Bekwith (sp?) would be a good place to start. Wishing you well.

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Andrew McNeil's avatar

Doug just to follow up. I just left a public meeting with our county Assessor and learned a few things. The State switched vendors when it comes to providing market valuations for homes. Coupled with inflation and a crazy real estate market it has caused a big jump in assessment values. Counties have tax rates based on their budgets. So theoretically just because assessments go up does not mean taxes will. The State mandates every detail of assessment and is the best mechanism to fix what is sure to be higher property taxes for everyone. Can’t trust the local government to reign in spending I’m afraid. Marshall and Swift is the new vendor and they are used by realtors and insurance agents everywhere.

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Doug Kildsig's avatar

Hello Andrew,

Thanks for the follow-up, and all you have shared makes sense based on my long history of studying property taxation in Indiana. The DLGF is the state entity that oversees all County assessment and taxation activity, and I understand that it appears that their method or diligence in determining the "market based assessment" has shifted. All the information you have shared as a result of your meeting attendance is very helpful. I agree with your personal conclusions on property taxation as a violation of the natural right of ownership and liberty to maintain ownership. Property rights are the foundation of this tyranny, but in my personal investment and experience, the state has no sincere "remedy" for their tyranny. I have noted that there has been some substantive efforts in other states, like Texas, to battle shifts in appraisal methods and direct the litigation on opposition to budget methods and general abuses of local government finance prudence. Again, thanks for the follow-up.

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Doug Kildsig's avatar

You are welcome, Andrew. I have spent considerable time investigating property taxation in Indiana, but your response isn't helping me understand what in the DLGF guidelines has changed that resulted in an increase in the assessed value of property. To the best of my knowledge, the "cap" was never on assessed value, and that was reported to be the result of comparable sale of property and the ratio standards each county was to hold to of selling prices/assessed value approaching 1.0. You know, the whole "market-based" pitch that took place in the '90s. I thought that the "cap" was a percentage of assessed value, or at least as stated in your property tax billing material received from the County Assessor? Around 3% of assessed value seems what I recall. Thank you for your response, and do you have any links of articles written that detail the changes, or any individuals or groups who have published the details? Thank you. Sincerely, Doug

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Eddie Hager's avatar

Indiana Property Tax System gives Hoosier Families that voice at local and state government, without it government would simply operate with no checks and measures as well as a voice from the people, the Pegan. We can have fair and equal assessment within the system.

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