
If a blockbuster tax reform proposal from Casper Republican state Rep. Steve Harshman goes the distance, most property taxes in Wyoming would be eliminated in lieu of hiking the state sales tax by 2%.
Harshman is the sponsor of House Bill 203, which would remove all property taxes for an estimated 97% of Wyoming homeowners. In turn, the Wyoming sales tax would increase from 4% to 6%.
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So my property taxes have more than doubled in recent years. Mainly to pay for a $50+ million judgment against the county. I current pay 7% sales tax and wonder how Wyoming can raise their sales tax to only 6% AND eliminate property taxes. The answer to the age old question of “fair share” is always “MORE”.
David DeGerolamo
The sales tax increase will affect lower and middle income people more. Even in Wyoming, it’s asking too much to cut spending. Spend and spend, until there’s nothing left.
From my friend in WY:
My taxes ae up to $3800.00 on house, barn, garage and 30 acres,,, last year we got a re bate of 1200.00. on it.. yes it is up for consideration,, and I am in favor of it…..
Look at the bright side, very important, now you really own your home, the government cant take it if you dont pay your property tax. I believe this is the intent, this is what we should do here
Here’s the plan, move to northern WY places like Sheridan or Cody. Once a month drive north to Billings, MT and shop Costco, Sam’s Club, Cabelas or Scheels. Then drive home with your non taxed retail purchases to your non taxed personal home which you reside in with no state income tax.
Vermont has tax enforcers monitoring the purchasing of people with Vermont license plates in New Hampshire. Just be aware that high sales tax states have a way of catching you doing this.
Don’t confuse WY/MT with any “Live Free or Die” state.
fwiw, there is a high rate of out of state ownership in the Jackson Hole area. quite a lot of range land is similar.
just keep in mind, the working stiff who spends his wages where he lives will see a tax increase.
the out of state .1% are all on board, and quite likely funding the dear representative’s favorite charities.
just scanned the bill, the first million is exempt. a few condos in Jackson Hole won’t have to pay anything.
Easy enough to make it only apply to residents.
You should start a petition.
What about the Cheney Crime Family? Are they still Wyoming residents or have they acquired dual citizenship somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere? Asking for a friend.
At least you have more control over a sales tax by deciding whether or not to purchase something. Or maybe purchasing in another state. And at least most sales taxes exempt basic groceries and some clothing. A property tax is putting your home at the whims of inflation and real estate evaluations, which you have no control over. Property taxes are a real killer.
You’re right in-so-far as you go. I would add that no one owns their property if the government charges you ‘rent’ in the form of a property tax. Fail to pay up and see what happens. This bill would be a very good start in getting rid of property taxes. Perhaps other states would follow.
Just wait until your county has to pay the man shot by police who violated his constitutional rights. Hands up, unarmed, on video.
If you can lose your property for not paying the annual tribute to the criminals that infest the government, then YOU do NOT own your property. Pretty simple.
I actually emailed our state rep about this a couple days ago. He seems to think that the sales tax could not offset the loss of property taxes, but seemed open to exploring the idea. I suggested a drastic cut in local spending, excluding food from the increase in sales tax because the poor in our county are already living on the edge, and eliminating the property taxes and replaced with the sales tax so that EVERYONE, not just property owners are funding services. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but I did ask for a source for the revenues to compare.