Truth in Taxation Archives - Kansas Policy Institute

3 things to know about Truth in Taxation 0
- Tax & Spending
- October 1, 2021
The new Truth in Taxation legislation is now in effect, and there are three things that taxpayers should know about the process to maximize the benefits and reduce taxes. 1. Local officials can reduce taxes or hold them flat if they wish. As of August 24, almost 250 cities, counties, and school districts have decided
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Tax Expenditure Limits Prevent Government’s Balancing Act 0
- Tax & Spending
- September 17, 2021
Imagine the Kansas budget as a tightrope walker, with taxing and spending on opposite sides of their balancing rod. If the government spends significantly more than it taxes, this leads to deficits and “bust-type” budgeting. Likewise, if the government collects more in taxes than it spends, you end up taking more from taxpayers and get
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Kansas has some of the nation’s highest property tax rates 0
- Tax & Spending
- June 28, 2021
Our 2021 Green Book shows once again that Kansas has some of the highest property tax rates in the nation. Iola has the dubious distinction of having the highest effective tax rate on commercial property for rural areas in the nation. A property valued at $1 million with $200,000 in fixtures pays over $61,000 in
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Truth in Taxation is a model for legislative change 0
- Tax & Spending
- April 26, 2021
Forcing local officials to be honest about the entire property tax increase they impose will save taxpayers hundreds of millions over time because city council members and county commissioners know they won’t stay in office if they vote for the big increases they quietly imposed in the past. My recent joint column with my colleague
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Gov. Kelly signs property tax transparency bill 0
- Tax & Spending
- March 31, 2021
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Friday signed SB 13 into law, providing property tax transparency that goes into effect this year. Kelly vetoed a similar bill last year but the overwhelming majority votes in the House and Senate may have been a factor in her decision to sign the bill and avoid a veto override.
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Cities, counties keep expanding the property tax honesty gap 0
- Tax & Spending
- January 9, 2021
In its 2021 budget report, Douglas County says, “Acknowledging that COVID-19 has had a significant economic impact for many, the mill levy remains flat….” But they don’t mention there is a 4.8% property tax hike in this year’s budget. That’s the epitome of the Kansas property tax honesty gap. Local officials speak only of mill rate
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