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Opinion
Property
tax improvement needed, but is tough work
October
31, 2005
Some
South Carolina senators are looking for ways to solve the
property tax problem. They hope to cut that tax by raising the
sales tax. If those lawmakers can indeed come up with a
solution to the property tax puzzle in the Palmetto State they
will have earned the appreciation and respect of every
property owner in the state. They’ll also be able to run for
re-election as magicians who can accomplish miracles.
To do
that, though, it will require more than swapping one tax for
another. Furthermore, they will have to overcome a variety of
obstacles. Those obstacles include a long list of tax
exemptions, finding some way to accommodate the needs of
localities and schools, and overcoming opposition from within
and outside the legislature. And that, alone, would be a
tremendous achievement.
ONE OF THE MOST
troublesome considerations is how to fund everything
needed while finding tax sources to replace any taxes
eliminated ….. while trying to be fair to all. That doesn’t
mean funds devoted to pork spending, either, and there’s a lot
of that in Columbia, the same as in Washington. Simply funding
the necessary absolutes is a daunting consideration.
Of
course, the latest report from senators says an increase in
the sales tax to offset 50 percent of the property tax take is
a possibility. Why not a sales tax in lieu of all property
taxes? But, then, what would that do to local option sales
taxes? See, it’s not a simple matter.
The entire tax system
in South Carolina is so complex and convoluted, trying to
figure it all out would probably drive teetotalers to heavy
drinking. There’s a good chance that no one has a complete and
comprehensive grasp of all the intricacies involved.
SINCE THAT IS THE way it is, it would
seem a thorough analysis of the entire tax picture would not
only be proper, it would be necessary. That should include
every state and local tax, special tax districts and any other
tax or fee that impacts the taxpayer in some way.
That
obviously would be an almost overwhelming undertaking. Still,
there is such an outcry over steadily rising property taxes
any further piecemeal patching of the system will not solve
the overall problem. It will only add to the troubles we
already have.
That idea is, to be sure, one that’s likely
to come across as asking too much. Considering the problem,
how much is too much?
Editorial expression in this feature represents
our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
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