I would like to see the legislature do away with the property tax and switch to a sales tax. As a popular vacation and destination state I don’t like missing out all the possible revenue of people coming to Montana and paying higher and higher property taxes. Let’s make the switch, pass less taxes, and enjoy keeping more of the money we earn.

I support a sales tax, but think we should keep all three. Totally eliminating property tax would be a giant gift to wealthy out-of-state landowners like Ted Turner, who spend very little money in Montana.

A sales tax, in conjunction with property tax relief for single family dwellings, would seem to make the most sense.

How about a sales tax deduction on your Montana state personal income tax as a way to offset the impact of a sales tax on residents?

Gunnar I would worry the legislature would end up collecting more of our money in the end. I would want a total elimination of property tax

David I have to think that over. I’m worried we would be backdoored over time into the legislature slowly raising everything

You people have been drinking the tainted koolaid put out by the Republicans. I don't care how you dress it up, a sales tax is a regressive tax that lands squarely on the backs of the middle class and more so on the poor.

If they weren't poor, they wouldn't deserve higher taxes, ipso facto, QED

A regressive tax? That’s not right. A sales tax is more fair. Everyone pays it. Property tax punishes those who own property. That’s less fair in my mind.

[Edited by Cheese_it (11/29/2018 1:25:39 PM)]

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.”

I don't think Republicans have a monopoly on sales tax. The EU has a 17.5% sales tax, called the VAT, and don't think the EU has much Republican philosophers running their government.

Too many Boomer retirees. No way in hell would a sales tax pass now.

You'd want to be sure to exempt prescription drugs.

Want a brief history of the sales tax in Montana. Crash. Burn.

Yes, cheese on it, everyone has to pay a sales tax. Think about it. If you have a problem understanding that a sales tax is regressive, spring for a calculator. Consider this simplistic example. Using an 8% sales tax, if a person has an income of $100,000 and spends $60,000 on living expenses, leaving, $40,000 for savings and investments, the sales tax on his living expenses would be $4,800. Compare that scenario to the elderly or disabled person living on $12,000, who spends every dime on living expenses, resulting in a tax of $960. The person with the $100,000 income pays 4.8% on this tax while the elderly/disabled pays 8%. Face it a sales tax is simply a mean spirited method of extracting money from those who have less or none to spare.

Then there are those who think it’s the only way to go provided you have humanitarian exemptions. Take a look at Idaho. They have been trying to exempt groceries for some time. They almost exempted groceries last year. The problem is their Republican governor vetoed the attempt. The same is expected from their new Republican Senate and governor. As for other countries and their sales taxes, you’re talking apples and oranges. Using EU as an example is pointless. Most of the EU countries' social safety nets are far more inclusive than ours in providing necessities for those in need, including, but not limited to, medical, nutrition and housing.

As the owner of a home in Sun City AZ, I can assure you a sales tax does not eliminate property taxes. It only provides additional revenue for the tax and spend contingent. Our property tax is about $1500 on a two bedroom home.

A general sales taxes are regressive, that is they fall most heavily on the poor so not a good idea. As for property taxes, they aren't going away, so forget that.

There are sales taxes that are directed at tourists specifically, hotel bed taxes for example. My experience as a tax administrator is that if a non-resident comes into the state, uses up resources,then the citizens of that state need to be compensated through the levy of a targeted tax, a hotel bed tax for example or non-resident hunting tags. The amount of the tax is generally de minimis as a factor to the behavior of the consumer regardless of what you might hear from industry. And this is true whether the industry is a motel, a professional hunting guide, or an open pit coal mine.

What ever happened to you not being able to be taxed out of your property. I think it had something to do with the homestead act...

Take a strategy out of the South Dakota Play book. If you own any residence out of the State of Montana, then your property in Montana is not full time residence and taxes run @ 300% higher.

This article reminded me of the Sales Tax Discussion. What can happen if the Sales Tax collection is too low:
http://www.minotdailynews...s94LuI92kI