Re: [FWDLK] property taxes/old cars

[Mike Apfelbeck <moparmike72@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 07:39 PM 4/21/2007, Jan & Roger van Hoy wrote:
> Washington State
> had an initiative a couple years ago for $30 per year license tabs,
> instead of the then current percentage of value.  I voted against
> it, because someone has to pay for roads, and it might as well be the guy
> with a Hummer, new Jaguar, new SUV or expensive whatever.  The
> initiative passed overwhelmingly.  The WA Supreme Court overruled
> it, but the politicos could tell where their bread was buttered and
> re-enacted it.

So, it's ok to overcharge someone who has more money to spend on a
vehicle than the rest of us? I was under the mistaken assumption that
everyone who has equal access to the public road system should pay an
equal share in it's maintenance costs. The folks driving bigger vehicles
are already paying a bigger share anyway at the pump via fuel
taxes.

>  
> The Dep't of Licensing then must have stayed up nights
> thinking of ways to increase their revenue.  We now pay tonnage on
> cars as well as trucks.  It amounts to about $18 yearly on a compact
> car, plus the $30 tab fee.


I used to own a truck. I paid my state a use fee based on ton/miles
covered. Seems only fair for a larger vehicle to pay a bigger share of
the road costs since, in theory anyway, a larger vehicle should cause
more wear to the road surface. Could be a good way to encourage people to
buy lighter, more fuel efficient cars.

>  
> Also, the fair market value is established to pay sales tax
> on a new purchase, no matter what you paid.  If you don't like it,
> you still have to pay it, then appeal to tax
> court.

I agree, what you actually paid is the actual market price that day, the
tax needs to computed on that amount.

 
> Mike

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