Real Estate Companies: Indiana Realtors Announce Property Tax Reform Agenda

The Indiana Association of Realtors announced their proposed property tax reform the other day citing

"The current property tax mess is the product of three decades of decisions by public officials in both political parties at both the state and local levels. When it comes to property tax reform, we, as Hoosiers, have resisted change for too long; we can not afford to do so any longer. Realtors are offering a plan that calls on everyone in Indiana to step out of their comfort zone, accept the needed changes, and demand reform." - Karl Berron, CEO of the Indiana Association of Realtors

Referencing high foreclosure rates, falling home prices, and general uncertainty among employers, he goes on to state that Realtors understand the property tax system and that reform is achievable. Her are the proposed changes:

Eliminate the township assessment system - Reducing the current number of 1008 assessors within the state and require that they be certified as real estate appraisers. In addition they should be appointed positions without political pressure to perform there responsibilities.

Consolidate local government - Voters should not tolerate local government's requests for new sources of revenue until they are willing to reform the current antiquated structure. Indiana has more than 2700 local government units with the authority to levy property taxes.

Cut property taxes - Examples cited: moving certain levies now supported by property taxes, such as court, school, and welfare costs to the State or restricting a property taxpayer's maximum tax bill to a specific percentage- such a 1%- of their assessed value each year.

The report goes on to say that we must acknowledge that property taxes can not be eliminated. Voters would not tolerate the offsetting taxes that would be required, it would also cause severe harm to the economy, and the fact that we cannot risk potential major cuts in critical services such as education.

A Purdue Graduate with over 15 years combined experience in Marketing, SEO, Website Design, Finance, and Real Estate. Married for 13 years with 1 son, James is an active community leader in youth sports organizations, Chamber of Commerce memberships (including Jaycees), and Real Estate Investment. Google also identifies him as the top listing for "Indiana's coolest guy".

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