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Not a historian but I suspect that property taxes were originally meant to pay for things like infrastructure, garbage, police, firefighters, schools, etc. Pret
by nickpp 5y ago
Not a historian but I suspect that property taxes were originally meant to pay for things like infrastructure, garbage, police, firefighters, schools, etc. Pretty much community costs incurred by the development of the area including and around your property.
Of course, without actual transparence and accountability and considering the state of said infrastructure, schools, etc, it is hard to know where these taxes actually go nowadays.
- Retric 5y agoThat doesn’t explain taxing boats/cars/etc. The historic reality is property tax was equivalent to wealth tax for thousands of years. It’s only recently that intangible assets became so valuable.
- nickpp 5y agoActually car taxes were also justified by infrastructure costs around here. No idea about boats, as I don't own one. I suspect you may be right about property tax tough - historically land-owners were rich-lord types and had to pay "fealty" to the crown. So I guess tax history is complicated?! There is also the modern issue of pollution taxes which should be taken into consideration. For example it's long past time for a carbon tax...