Statement of Principles on Truth in Property Taxation

Model Bill Info
Bill Title	Statement of Principles on Truth in Property Taxation
Date Introduced	July 16, 2019
Date Finalized	September 3, 2019
Type	Statement of Principle
Status	Final
Task Forces	Tax Reform

Statement of Principles on Truth in Property Taxation

Guiding Principles: Utah’s Example

Utah enacted its Truth in Taxation law in 1985 to provide a solution to taxpayer unrest from ever-increasing property taxes.

Accountability – While Utah’s law does not limit property taxes, it makes local elected officials think twice about increasing property tax rates. Citizens will be notified of any increase and its potential impact on their property. Lawmakers are also required to hold a broadly advertised public hearing about the proposed tax hike.

Reliability – Truth in Taxation is a revenue-driven system, not a rate-driven system. Generally, as valuations of existing property increase from county assessors’ annual adjustments of taxable property values to keep pace with market values, property tax rates decrease. This automatic reduction in property tax rates prevents local governments from getting a windfall simply because valuations of existing properties have increased.

Competitiveness – When the law passed in 1985, Utah ranked 24th in the nation in property taxes per $1,000 of personal income. Utah now ranks 36th. Even still, over the last three decades property tax revenues to the State of Utah have grown faster than inflation and population growth combined.