Taxes should be fair to everyone

To the editor,

It's that time of year, property taxes are due. I think it's time to get real about how and who we tax in Montana. At the present the property owners are paying the bulk of the city and county budgets. People are right when they say your home or business is your biggest "Investment." Most, if not all, other investments are taxed when they are bought and sold like stocks, bonds, gold, silver, etc.

If a person owns a bar, campground, antique store, house, or whatever, property taxes are a big part of your budget. If you've owned your property for 20 years, you're probably getting close to having paid as much in taxes as you paid for the property. If you've owned the property for 30 years, you're already there.

What we need is tax that's fair to everyone. When a property is bought or sold would be the time to tax it. You pay a sales tax when you buy and a capital gains tax when you sell, just like every other investment in this country.

There is so much more to say on this issue like how to get the votes to pass something like this. Or who will make up the difference in tax revenue right away. Maybe our local governments need to cut back a bit. Maybe we need to eliminate state income taxes along with property taxes to get the votes. Whatever it takes would be my suggestion because they are out of control and going up as we speak.

Kevin Ramage

Columbia Falls