Anyone who carefully studies this issue and is intellectually honest must come to the conclusion that valuation limits are bad for Arizona and for economic development. Before we dismantle the Arizona property tax system and change our state Constitution, we must conduct a thorough and careful analysis of the impact the proposed valuation limits would have on our economy and our ability to fund local government.
We at the Arizona Association of Property Tax Analysts (AAPTA) are property tax professionals who have decades of experience with the Arizona property tax system. AAPTA agrees that the current system is complex, but we also agree that Prop. 117 is NOT the answer. While limitations on property tax valuations may negatively impact our industry, we stand in opposition to Prop. 117 primarily because AAPTA agrees with “independent, authoritative studies and experts” which say that Property Valuation Limits are “bad public and economic policy”. If the goal is to reduce the property tax burden, valuation limits are clearly not the answer. They are merely gimmicks with significant negative impacts.
Negative Consequences of Proposition 117
• It unfairly favors wealthy property owners and high dollar real estate.
• It forces Arizona voters to change the state constitution when it is not needed.
• It creates “windfall” for rapidly appreciating high growth areas that will far outpace the 5% value limit. It also creates a “windfall” for properties already on the tax rolls at only a fraction of their true value with no remedy to fix it.
• It destroys “equity” when property valuation limits allow the favored class to be taxed at a fraction of their true value when the majority would be paying their fair share.
• It impairs bonding capacity and bond ratings.
Current Limitations are Sufficient
• Not a Valuation Problem! Recent Department of Revenue Sales Ratio studies indicate that property values had median ratios of less than 84% of true value.
• Assessors are required by statute to specifically analyze the market and the individual property for any value increase over 15%.
Independent Studies
• Google “Property Tax Value Limits” and check for yourself.
• Lincoln Land Institute – Lessons from Thirty Years experience.
• Tax and Expenditure Limits (TEL’s) subject guide – International Association of Assessing Officers.
• Four easy steps to a fiscal train wreck: Andrew Young school of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
• Surprise: an unintended consequence of Assessment Limitations, Land Lines.
These are only a few of the potentially devastating ramifications of valuation limits on real property values.
AAPTA cares deeply about being part of the solution to improve our property tax system. Our supporting independent data would strongly suggest that Prop 117 is not the answer. That is the reason our Tax professionals do not support Prop 117.
Thomas Naifeh is a member of the Arizona Association of Property Tax Analysts.
Accuracy posted at 8:29 am on Tue, Nov 6, 2012.
What, Arizona Prop 117 doesn’t copy the successful formula of California’s Prop 13?
Arizona’s property tax system is one of the most complicated and complex in the nation. Few people can figure it out. It allows for unlimited taxation by numerous independent taxing districts. Placing the government almost completely in charge of how much money is demanded from taxpayers.
Proposition 117 placing a 5 percent annual limit on how much the assessed value of properties can rise would shield owners from the kinds of spikes seen during the real estate bubble of the last decade.
Concerned Taxpayer posted at 1:33 pm on Tue, Nov 6, 2012.
My name is Jeffrey Hill and I am a former State Senator. As one of the Senate Conferees in 1979-1980 which wrote the current property tax system and protections into our treasured Constitution and statutes, I am outraged by Prop. 117.
Vested special interests are attempting to take advantage of the current downturn in our economy with the introduction of Prop. 117. This is not a simplification of the property tax system. Prop . 117 does NOT lower or simplify our taxes.
Prop. 117 is harmful: It does not limit, simplify or lower actual taxes. It is unnecessary, unconstitutional and does not accomplish what the supporters claim it does. It means a shift of more tax burden to homeowners, retirees, those on fixed incomes, and local businesses.
It now comes to light that many of the state legislators that voted for this did not know the consequences and unintended consequences of Prop. 117. Some did not have the opportunity to read the cost to the State’s General Fund in the JLBC Fiscal Note prepared for them. Others did not receive the ADOR Analysis. Were they bamboozled? We now know Prop. 117 is bad for Arizona. Don’t be fooled or misled.
Reality Check: Constitutional protections on property tax are now in effect for homeowners, along with the homeowner's annual rebate. Arizona now ranks nationwide as one of the better states for low homeowner property tax.
Vote "NO" on Prop. 117!
www.stopprop117.com
Jeffrey J. Hill