[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

There is no charge for an e-check (online). I paid mine that way just now.

I don't think there is a charge for Echeck, unless Sumter County is different. I paid mine for Lake County. No charge.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

How long does it take them to process a check? Would have done it online but they have a convenience charge of 2.5%.

There is no fee for paying online. The fee is for using a credit or debit card. You can pay online with an Echeck and there is no fee.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Because it's a tax, not tuition.

If I were housebound, I would still have to pay my share of the taxes that go to keeping the roads in operable condition.
If I were a pacifist, who believed that war is never the correct action, I would still have to pay my share of the tax that goes towards national defense.

We don't get to choose from a menu what taxes go to service we need or feel are important.
For some reason our elected officials who make policy have decided that educating the masses is a good investment for our society. As participants in that society, whether or not we agree that it is a good investment that our young people be educated, we are obligated to help fund it.

That's taxation.
Tuition is when you pay to attend the school.

On the other hand, the federal government has no direct constitutional responsibility for education. National Defense IS a part of the Constitution. The responsibility of public education is part of the state jurisdiction. So, is law enforcement, fire fighting, etc.
You are correct that education is funded by taxes. I don't really think anyone was disputing that.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

There is no fee for paying online. The fee is for using a credit or debit card. You can pay online with an Echeck and there is no fee.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Gettingoutofdodge

I’m considering paying off the bond. Why is there still a charge for maintenance.

Watch this video to understand.

https://youtu.be/Ufm_ycOnbto?si=R6X8bdcS_Oj-SHBR

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Because the ones who do have children need to educate their children. That means they still have to have schools, computer networks, teachers, paved roads, copy machines and A/V equipment, crossing guards, maintenance workers, landscapers, a principal, a school nurse, a librarian, aides, and so on and so forth.

Because one of those kids COULD end up becoming a President of the United States and it's in the interest of OUR kids and grandkids to ensure that ALL children are educated. That's what public education is for. Our taxes pay for the education of the leaders of the future. They also pay for the initial education of the business owners, property managers, health care workers, arborists, bankers, musicians.

Our tax dollars are supposed to ensure that all of our future adults get a solid educational foundation so we don't end up with a country overwhelmed with ignorant people scrambling for jobs they're unqualified to fill.

I'm okay with that.

Our tax bill was under $2000, which is still less than it was up north. Our northern home was a little smaller, on much larger property. Our northern taxes were close to double but we also had snow removal, MUCH better public schools, leaf pickup, large item "spring cleaning" pickup a couple times a year, much more accessible town government, and a host of other positives that don't apply to Central Florida because it just isn't built or laid out that way.

So I compare my taxes here with what I paid up north, for the services I get here compared to those I got up north.

I'd be okay paying more for education but only if they provided better education for the money. Currently they don't, so I'm okay paying less.

And how’s that working out ?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

One of your better posts

This year's school tax in Florida: $2153
2015 in NY $5524

So I'm not unhappy. But I'd be even happier if I was paying for education and not indoctrination.

So why did you Leave?

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Byte1

On the other hand, the federal government has no direct constitutional responsibility for education. National Defense IS a part of the Constitution. The responsibility of public education is part of the state jurisdiction. So, is law enforcement, fire fighting, etc.
You are correct that education is funded by taxes. I don't really think anyone was disputing that.

I don't see your point. Some taxes are levied and collected by the Feds, some by states, some by local municipalities. They are all taxes, and none of them is adjusted downward because someone does not use a particular service funded by the tax.
Nobody was disputing anything. I was explaining why "old goats" who don't go to school, or have children who attend school, still have to participate financially in paying for schools.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

So why did you Leave?

Huh???

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Huh???

Sometime you just wonder

[Woodbear]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

And your point is? You would eliminate the school tax?

The tax rate would be much simpler to understand. There would not be the crazy system that is currently employed in Sumter county where neighbors are assessed differently. I would also make sure to raise the rates on those outside the Villages so they are more in line with those in The Villages.

I would also make the school system show that the tax payer is receiving an appropriate rate of return on their investment of approximately $19,000 per student.

[Pixelpups]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I am assuming you bought a pre-owned home and not new construction.

One of the (many?) things that isn't explained well during a sale is the adjustment in property tax that occurs on resales.

Often, the tax bill you receive in the first November is based on exemptions and limits due to the previous owner. It will be what you found on the Tax Collector's website when you were researching the home.

The next bill you receive will be based on you and your sale. You likely don't have a homestead exemption yet so you will be paying on an additional $50,000 of value. You haven't accrued any Save Our Homes benefits yet so you will be taxed on the full value of your home. And, the full value of your home will be somewhat tied to the price you paid which was likely more than the previous assessment and will also be affected by inflation in the past year. All in all you will pay more and many will be surprised by how much more.

You can go to the Tax Collector's website and see the bill from last year. You can see the Exemptions that applied to the previous owner. See if the assessed value is significantly different from yours; this would be due to the Save Our Homes benefit, adjustments due to the sale, and inflation.

My tax went up $1350. We bought pre-owned in July 2022, so last November I was expecting a big jump. As you said, I noticed that the assessed value jumped by 30% this November. Luckily our homestead exemption transferred. I was confused by the higher assessment, because I figured the price we paid would have been in last year’s assessment already. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by Woodbear

The tax rate would be much simpler to understand. There would not be the crazy system that is currently employed in Sumter county where neighbors are assessed differently. I would also make sure to raise the rates on those outside the Villages so they are more in line with those in The Villages.

I would also make the school system show that the tax payer is receiving an appropriate rate of return on their investment of approximately $19,000 per student.

Everyone is charged the SAME millage rate and fees. I am failing to understand some of your points.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Woodbear

The tax rate would be much simpler to understand. There would not be the crazy system that is currently employed in Sumter county where neighbors are assessed differently. I would also make sure to raise the rates on those outside the Villages so they are more in line with those in The Villages.

I would also make the school system show that the tax payer is receiving an appropriate rate of return on their investment of approximately $19,000 per student.

For the 23-24 year, the school appropriations are about $11,000/student. Local taxes account for about $7,500/student.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Woodbear

The tax rate would be much simpler to understand. There would not be the crazy system that is currently employed in Sumter county where neighbors are assessed differently. I would also make sure to raise the rates on those outside the Villages so they are more in line with those in The Villages.

I would also make the school system show that the tax payer is receiving an appropriate rate of return on their investment of approximately $19,000 per student.

There's a single formula, same as anywhere else. The formula is applied to the assessed value of your home. If you feel the assessment is wrong, you can go to the County and discuss where/what you feel is in error.

But that formula, whatever it is, is applied the same to your house as it is to everyone else in your county.

I'm in Lake County, so my formula is probably different from the one used in your county. My assessment is different as well, since I'm in a manufactured home and you are probably not.