By issuing “voluntary environmental improvement bonds,”, local and state governments could
create special taxing districts that finance homeowner purchases of everything from solar panels to rain
gardens.
Nearly every Indiana county has failed to send property tax bills on time this year, forcing many local governments and schools
to borrow millions and providing further proof that Indiana’s tax system is still a work in progress more than a decade after
a court ordered a massive overhaul.
The association representing 470 cities and towns wants lawmakers to pass legislation that would give municipalities the authority
to adopt local option income taxes.
Property owners in Indiana are expected to save more on their tax bills in the next two years than originally predicted
because of caps on property taxes.
Indiana is becoming more business-friendly, according to the latest national ranking from the Tax Foundation, which moved the state
up two places to 12th.
The solution to the property tax fiasco that swept Republican Mayor Greg Ballard into office in 2007 is making his job harder, and
it could lead to his undoing.
To use a gardening metaphor, have the courage to prune back in a tough economy, and plant new seeds before the weather improves.
The process of assessment could be simplified and performed uniformly and inexpensively.
If you are late in making property tax payments, begin to chip away at your bill by making weekly payments.
Retired people living on a fixed income have no way to raise extra money to pay for property taxes.
Soaring property taxes were arguably Indiana’s biggest problem in 2007. In 2008, the Legislature approved property tax caps
as a solution. But because the caps haven’t been implemented, debate is still raging over the consequences the caps will have
for local governments and whether they should be made permanent.
Property-tax caps should help Hoosier homeowners save a bundle next year.
Several major issues with business implications are expected to receive ample attention when legislators convene next month,
particularly the continuing saga of property-tax relief and the state’s ability to pay jobless benefits.
More than one in four Marion County commercial and industrial property owners has appealed its property tax assessments this
year, and the challenges often are paying off in a big way.
During the coming weeks, a number of Indiana cities and counties will be coming to terms with their new budget realities.
As the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway approaches,
the town of Speedway, at long last, is making an aggressive play to turn the world-famous oval into an economic engine that
runs year-round.
In this election, citizens must decide whether the assessing duties of the elected township assessor in the township should
be transferred to the county assessor.
Mayor Greg Ballard worries his predecessor, Bart Peterson, may have overreached with his ambitious tax-increment-financing
district for the last phase of Fall Creek Place. That phase of the renewed urban neighborhood isn’t producing enough revenue
to support its $6.2 million in outstanding bonds. And Ballard is not sure all of Marion County’s 37 other TIF district are
necessary, either.
Many Indiana school districts say they have no choice but to brace for cutbacks in areas like school repairs, computers and
transportation thanks to the property tax reform measure approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov.Mitch Daniels.
Property tax reform is now Indiana law. Hoosier homeowners are thrilled. But many corporate leaders grumble the historic deal was brokered on the backs of business. Topping their concerns is the new 3-percent property tax cap for commercial and industrial properties, which they fear will slow business expansions and discourage companies from moving headquarters to the state.
