TAXES: The best solution

As a victim of the egregious local property tax system (my property tax has increased 70% since 2013, and now exceeds my Idaho income tax), I welcome serious talk of modifying, or capping, or even better, eliminating it. Property tax is the worst way to fund local government because it is arbitrary, passive and can threaten home ownership, especially for those in retirement. If your income goes down or you lose your job, activity-based taxes like income or sales will go down with the less income. Property tax is frozen, and not paying it could cost you your home.

An Idaho Representative has proposed doubling the sales tax to replace property taxes. Although a much better system, this method would be regressive and will suppress tourism and retail sales. Also, since the feds only allow a deduction for income OR sales taxes, and the Idaho income tax is not going away, increasing the sales tax, in place of property taxes, could increase your federal tax.

This leaves an increase in the income tax, which I feel is always the best way to raise revenues. It is the most fair and only goes up when your income increases. Social Security payments should continue to not be subject to Idaho income tax. Also, an increase in the Idaho income tax just might suppress folks from wealthier areas from immigrating and driving up home prices.

I also see the importance of local control. Therefore, each county or maybe the larger cities should set the rate increase of their citizens. One size does not fit all.

The Legislature should take this up immediately. Getting rid of property taxes is far more important than worrying about things like daylight saving time. And if they don’t do it, we citizens will.

DOUGLAS L. WEIR

Hayden